“I’m the fellow, you know, who went to look for the new gold-field,” said Jack, “and by the lord! I’ve found it.”
“Scarlett! Is it you?” exclaimed old Mr. Crewe. “You have got it? My dear sir, this is good news; this is excellent news! You have found the new gold-field? This is really remarkable, this is indeed most fortunate! This is the happiest day I have seen for a long while!”
“Eh? What? what?” said Cathro, who was on his feet too. “Is it rich?”
“Rich?” said Jack. Taking a bank deposit-receipt from his pocket, he handed it to Cathro.
“Good God!” cried he, eyeing the figures on the paper, “it’s a fortune.”
Mr. Crewe had his gold spectacles upon his nose and the paper in his hand in a moment. “Three thousand one hundred and eighty-seven pounds!” he exclaimed. “Well, well, that is luck! And where’s your mate, Scarlett? Where is Moonlight?”
“He’s on the claim.”
“On the claim? Then there’s still gold in sight?”
“We’ve but scratched the surface,” said Jack. “This is only the foretaste of what’s to come.”
The important little man, who had eagerly listened to all that had been said, was hovering round the group, like an excited cock sparrow.