“Not in this case, Tregenna, for Wheal Carnac was all smoke.”
“Ha, ha, ha! That’s not so very bad, Penwynn,” said the solicitor, laughing; “but I cannot help thinking there may be something in it.”
“Well, I tell you what I’d do then,” said Mr Penwynn, looking very serious; “you’re pretty warm, Tregenna; buy Wheal Carnac, and then buy up the machinery from some other mine that is in difficulties, work the concern on your own hook, and land a fortune.”
Tregenna half-closed his eyes and tightened his lips into a dry smile of derision, as he looked at the banker, and then the two men burst into a hearty laugh.
“Not exactly,” said Tregenna. “I don’t quite see myself performing such an act of lunacy at present; but really, seriously though, I do think there is something in that mine.”
“Yes,” said Mr Penwynn, picking his teeth, “water!”
“Yes, that’s the devil of it. Else they want so little for the place that I’d go to the expense of having it tested. In fact, they ask so small a sum now that a man might venture to buy it for nothing else but a spec, to sell again.”
“Like me to buy it, perhaps,” said the banker, laughing.
“I don’t know,” said Tregenna seriously; “but I wouldn’t mind going in for spending a little money in testing the place.”
“Now look here, Tregenna,” said Mr Penwynn, “what is your game here?”