"He has no call to," replied Ferrers. "You're obeying him by leaving the claim, aren't you?"
"Then probably Gage and his companions will settle down on the claim after we leave," suggested Mr. Dunlop.
"If Gage tries to jump the claim in your absence," proposed Ferrers, "your course is easy. If you have the legal right to the claim you'll have to bring back force enough to drive those hyenas off."
"Will you people try to keep an eye over the claim while I'm gone?" asked Mr. Dunlop.
"That would be a little out of our line," Tom made reply. "Besides, Mr. Dunlop, I'm not at all sure that we shall be here until you return."
"But we haven't settled, Reade, whether you and your partner are to be our engineers at the Bright Hope Mine."
"Quite true, sir," nodded Tom. "On the other hand, you haven't engaged us, either"
"Won't you keep the matter open until our return?"
"That would be hardly good business, Mr. Dunlop."
"Yet suppose I had engaged you,"