“You have been thoroughly into the matter, then,” said Mr Penwynn, who was growing more and more interested.
“Thoroughly,” said Geoffrey, bluntly, “I don’t play with what I take up, sir.”
The banker shifted his position, got up, walked about the room, sat down again, and began tapping the table with his fingers.
“Will you have a cigar, Mr Trethick?” he said, unlocking a drawer.
“Thanks, no,” said Geoffrey. “I don’t smoke over business.”
There was another pause, during which Geoffrey sat patiently awaiting the banker’s orders, while that gentleman was evidently turning the affair well over in his mind.
At last he spoke.
“Mr Trethick,” he said, “what remuneration should you ask to undertake to examine that mine?”
“Can’t be done without pumping out, sir.”
“Supposing I place the necessary funds at your disposal?”