"Should a free miner neglect to renew his certificate upon expiry all mineral-claims held by him under it revert to the Crown," he said.
Then he stood up, straight and burly, though his face was a trifle flushed.
"I'm sorry, Ingleby, but I'm afraid you have thrown away your claim."
Ingleby sat very still for part of a minute with one hand closed tightly. Then he also rose.
"I can't blame you, sir," he said hoarsely. "I don't think there is anything to be gained by protesting."
"Well," said Tomlinson, "you're 'way more patient than I would be. Why did they let you go on working until you had found the gold?"
Ingleby turned and looked at the police officer with a very unpleasant glint in his eyes. "That," he said, "is a little kindness for which, I fancy, I am indebted to Captain Esmond."
He would have gone out, but Tomlinson laid a hand upon his arm and turned to the Recorder.
"Now," he said, "I'm going to do some talking. That claim's Ingleby's, Major, until you've declared it open, and wiped out his record."
"Well," said Coulthurst drily, "I am sorry to find myself compelled to do it. The claim lately held by Walter Ingleby and Thomas Leger, having reverted to the Crown, is open for relocation. A notice will be issued to that effect. I may, however, point out—to you—that no free miner can hold more than one claim in the same vicinity."