“It would be a dandy opportunity for you,” Ken said. “All expenses paid too!”
“Corning is one of my best friends, though I’ve not seen him in years. I know he wouldn’t call on me if he weren’t in a bad spot. He’s capable of handling any ordinary situation.”
“Why did he send the emerald?” War asked curiously.
“To snare my interest, I suspect. He says the mine is one of the world’s richest, but that the vein will be lost if it can’t be promptly worked.”
“What does he mean by that?” asked Willie.
“He didn’t explain. He merely instructs me to cable acceptance of his offer and take the first plane to South America.”
A silence fell. Jack busied himself putting away the record books. No one spoke of the projected trip to Minnesota. Mr. Livingston himself brought up the subject.
“I promised I’d go with you on the jaunt,” he said. “I won’t go back on that.”
“We won’t hold you to it,” Ken said instantly.
“Of course not,” added Jack. “That wouldn’t be fair. Why, a chance like this comes only once in a lifetime.”