“Partly because you are my oldest friend, and one in whom I should confide any important business.”
“And partly,” cried the Major, warmly, “because you thought I should be weak enough to join you.”
“Quite right, all but the question of weakness,” said the Colonel.
“Absurd! There, I am obliged to speak plainly; I could never dream of such a thing.”
“I don’t want you to dream,” said the Colonel, smiling; “I want you to act—to join me; and upon this basis: I will find the mine, and half the money for the machinery, if you will find the other half.”
“It would be folly. Look at the money we know to have been lost on mines.”
“Yes, in companies, and over very doubtful affairs. In this case we have the proof of mining having been carried on. We have the mine, and we should not have to share profits with a number of shareholders.”
“Nor losses neither,” said the Major, testily.
“Nor the losses neither,” assented the Colonel. “Then we live on the spot and could oversee matters.”
“Bah! What do we know about mines? I could manage a regiment, not a hole underground.”