"Thank you," returned Mr. Hart drily, "for cutting up my pocket-handkerchief."
The young man laughed.
"Take mine," he said, offering a red-silk handkerchief to Mr. Hart.
Red was a favourite colour in the diggings in the matter of personal adornment. Red handkerchiefs, red serge shirts, red scarves and sashes, red tassels and bindings, were much coveted.
Mr. Hart shook his head.
"No; I will keep my own as a remembrance."
He gazed admiringly at the young man, and with curiosity, for he saw that the young fellow was superior to the general run of gold-diggers.
"What are you looking at?" asked the young man merrily.
"At what seems to me an anomaly."
"That's me."