“A small sum to your rich American capitalists.”
“But we are not capitalists. No, we shall have to get along with a small furnace.”
The calculation deepened in the old man’s brown eyes. After a pause, to their utter astonishment, it took form in words. “But if you could raise the money?”
“What’s the use of talking; we can’t.”
“If I were to lend it to you?”
“You!” It was Billy who expressed their wonder. Seyd added, after a pause, “But we have no security to offer—that is, nothing but the mine.”
“And if we ran away?” Billy suggested, grinning. “Took your money and never came back?”
For the first time in their acquaintance a touch of humor lightened the heavy bronzed face. “There are some in this valley, señor, who might not count it too high a price. But as you say”—he bowed to Seyd—“the mine is security enough. Now that you have shown how, I might even work it myself. To put in a complete—”
“—Plant.” Billy supplied the strange word.
“How long?”