“I tell you that your plan’s worse than useless. The ore is far below the level to which we should get the water.”
“Give’s your hand, Trethick,” said the old man, sharply. “Will you swear that you’ll play fair with me?”
“If you like,” said Geoffrey.
“I’ll take your word without a swear,” said the old man. “Shake hands, lad.”
Geoffrey carelessly gave him his hand, which the old man gripped.
“Now look here,” he said, “I’ll trust you, and I’ll find you the money to go and buy that mine.”
“But it will be throwing your money away,” said Geoffrey.
“Then I’ll throw it away,” cried old Prawle. “I want Wheal Carnac, and I’ve always meant to have her. Now then, will you go and buy her for me, and work her for me afterwards on shares?”
“Yes, if you like,” said Geoffrey, sadly. “We might, perhaps, hit upon something; and anyhow I don’t think you will have to pay so much that you would lose.”
“Go and buy her for me, then. As soon as we get back you shall go up to London and buy her for me as cheap as you can. You can go to the old lawyer I’ll tell you of for the money to pay down, as much as is wanted, and then just you come back to me and I’ll talk to you about what I mean to do.”