"So far as I understand the enactments, one only holds a placer claim on the condition that the work goes on continuously," he said.
"In the case you are referring to I believe it did. Ingleby left his partner in possession."
Esmond smiled. "It is, one understands, essential that everybody holding a mineral claim of any kind should have a free miner's certificate."
"Of course! Ingleby and Leger each took one out. I remember it very well."
"All certificates," said Esmond, "expire on the thirty-first of May."
"Ingleby renewed his," said Coulthurst, and stopped abruptly.
"Ingleby, as you remember, invalidated his title."
Coulthurst rose sharply and took down his register. He flicked over several pages and closed it with a little bang. Then as he turned to Esmond his face grew a trifle grim.
"I'm not quite sure how far my authority goes until I look it up," he said. "I have rather a liking for Ingleby."
Esmond smiled in a deprecatory fashion. "It is not exactly my business, but one would fancy that you couldn't very well discriminate, sir. Anything of the kind would have an undesirable effect upon the other men."