“You here?” he said.
“Yes, my dear Brownson, I am here. Business, my dear sir, business. You really do not mean to say that you have come on the same mission as I.”
“I beg pardon, Colonel Pendarve,” said the fresh visitor. “I was not aware that Mr Dix here proposed visiting you. Can I have the pleasure of a few words on business of great importance?”
“Certainly,” said the Colonel, who now looked very much amused; “but may I ask if it is concerning the purchase of the mine?”
“To be frank, sir, yes, it is. On the behalf of a client, but—but you don’t mean that I am too late?”
There was a look of misery in the newcomer’s face that was comical, and before the Colonel could speak, he went on:—
“Don’t be rash, sir, pray don’t be rash. You cannot have closed yet, and I am here prepared, not merely to negotiate, but to come to the most advantageous terms for you.”
Mr Dix chuckled, rubbed his hands, and gave the newcomer a look which seemed to sting him to the core.
“I need hardly say, gentlemen,” said the Colonel, “that this visit has taken me quite by surprise. I did not expect these sudden offers from what seem to me to be rival companies.”
“Hardly rival companies, sir; but I must say that Mr Dix has taken a very unfair advantage of me, after we had agreed to a truce.”