“Well, my name is Kensington—Thomas Kensington. Perhaps you have not heard of me?”
“On the contrary, I have heard of you, Mr. Kensington. I believe you have a mine in this vicinity?”
“Yes, and another in Colorado. I hear that you have lately located a promising quartz claim. I understand that the assay indicates it is a valuable find.”
“Perhaps that’s right,” admitted Merry; “but I am at a loss just how you acquired the information.”
“My eyes and ears are open for such things. I am in Prescott to have a little assaying done myself, and I happened, by the merest chance, to hear Mr. Given, the assayist, speaking with an assistant about the result of his investigation of your specimens. You understand that it was barely a chance.”
“I presume so,” said Merry. “I don’t suppose that Given would talk of such matters publicly.”
“And he did not, sir—he did not. I assure you of that. I have also learned, Mr. Merriwell, that you have other mines?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And this new claim of yours is inconveniently located at a distance from any railway town?”
“That is correct.”