“I don’t understand you, sir.”
“I’ll tell you then. I have been far and wide about Cornwall for these last three years and done no good this year I thought I would have another search for something fresh, and give my boys a change. I am glad I have come.”
Will did not reply, but looked at him more wonderingly than ever.
“Suppose, my lad,” said Mr Temple, speaking now kindly, “I were to tell you that I have watched you very narrowly for some time past.”
“I hope I have done nothing wrong, sir?” said Will.
“Nothing, my lad. I was beginning to form a very pleasant impression of you, and then came the day of the storm.”
“If—if you would not mind, sir,” said Will uneasily, “I would rather you did not talk about that.”
“I will only say, my lad, that it confirmed my agreeable impressions about you. And now, look here, I have paid at least a hundred visits to the vein you showed me—the decomposing felspar vein.”
“The vein of white spar, sir?” cried Will.
“Yes, my lad; and I have concluded that it is very valuable.”