"We should want twenty times as much," he said.
"I shall mark out a claim for myself, then," said Mr. Hart.
"All right, mate; but you'll have to go a mile away for it. The reef is pegged, north and south, for quite that distance."
This was true; Mr. Hart, with regret, gave up the idea. He looked at the sun, and saw that if he wished to get back to the theatre in time for the performance he must start at once. He bade the young man good-day.
"What's your hurry?"
Mr. Hart explained.
"By Jove!" cried the young man, his face flushing scarlet. "I thought! recognised you. How I should like to go behind the scenes."
"Come then; I shall be glad to see you. This will admit you." And he took a card from his pocket, and wrote some words in pencil upon it. "What name shall I say?"
"Rowe."
"Here is the open sesame. Admit Mr. Rowe by the stage-door. Hart's Star Dramatic Company.--Signed, John Hart.'"