"Yes, I did; and why not?"
"Where is the money to come from?"
"I'll see to that," replied Corbett. "I am quite aware that six thousand dollars is twelve hundred pounds; but if you don't want to take a share in my speculation, I propose to invest that much of my capital in the venture, and even if I lose it all I shall still have something left, besides my muscles, thank God. You two, Phon and yourself, can work for me on wages if you like, or we'll make some other arrangement to keep the party together."
For a minute or two Chance said nothing, and then he began laughing quietly to himself.
"Say, Ned, you took scarlatina pretty bad when you were a kiddy, didn't you?"
"I don't remember, old chap. Why do you ask?"
"And whooping-cough, and measles, and chicken-pox, and now its gold fever, and my stars isn't it a virulent attack?" and Chance broke out laughing afresh.
"I don't see," began Corbett, growing rather red in the face.
"Oh, no; you don't see what all this has to do with me," interrupted Chance, "and it's infernal impertinence on my part to criticise your actions, and if I wasn't so small you would very likely punch my head. I know all that. But, you see, we two are partners, and I am not going to dissolve partnership because I think you are taking bigger risks than you ought to. If you put up three thousand dollars I will put up as much, and part of it can come out of the money owing to the firm."
"But why do this if you think the risk too big?" asked Corbett.