“Thank you, we will take a look at the mine you speak of and then come back,” said Oliver; and the two withdrew, leaving the Spaniard gazing after them earnestly.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
COLONEL MENDIX IS ASTONISHED.
“I believe that man would lie when the truth would do!” burst out Gus, when they had ridden out of hearing. “Of course you don’t take any stock in what he says.”
“No, indeed! Even if Cottle had not told us all about his little trick, I would never believe him after he had passed himself off as somebody else. We will ride on in the direction he indicated as far as he can see us, and then turn back to where we left Mr. Whyland.”
This was done; and fifteen minutes later they had rejoined their friend and the guide.
“I was getting a little worried,” said the former; “well, what luck?”
Oliver told him of what had occurred.
“The old fraud sent you off to the Johnny Brill mine!” burst in Cottle. “Brill opened it, and when it was nearly played out, turned it over to Mendix; why I never knew, excepting that the Spaniard wanted to palm it off as the Aurora.”
“That was probably his scheme,” said Mr. Whyland. “He is a deep one. I wish I knew just where he keeps all of his papers.”