“They wish to reopen the mine, and are ready to give me my own price.”
“Certainly,” said Mr Dix.
“Yes, certainly,” said Mr Brownson, “with, gentlemen, the addition of a royalty on our part on all the metal smelted. Come, Dix, that’s trumps.”
“Yes, sir, but this is the ace. Colonel Pendarve, I will guarantee you double the royalty Mr Brownson offers,” said Dix.
“Come, that’s business, gentlemen,” said the Colonel, smiling, while Gwyn’s face was scarlet with excitement. “Now, Jollivet, as the man whom I always consult on business matters, and irrespective of anything I may have said to these gentlemen, what would you advise me to do?”
“Ah,” exclaimed Mr Dix, rubbing his hands, “what would you advise him to do, General?”
“Major, sir, Major,” said the old officer, shortly.
“Yes, Major Jollivet,” said Mr Brownson, “what would you advise him to do? Surely to take our fair and liberal offer. We are very old established, and shall carry that old mine to a triumphant success. What would you advise?”
“Oh, Major Jollivet, don’t advise him to sell,” whispered Gwyn.
“Silence, sir! How dah you interfere!” cried the Major. “Pendarve, if this boy speaks again, send him away.”