Max lifted his hand in a sort of salute, turned and went out. Drennen, bringing his eyes back from the departing figure, found that both Marshall Sothern and McCall were studying him intently.
"Mr. Drennen," said Sothern, "I presume you are here to talk business. You have a mine you want us to look at?"
"I am here for two purposes," answered Drennen steadily, his eyes hard upon the older man's. "That is one of them."
"The other can wait. Mr. McCall and myself are at your disposal. From the specimens I have seen I am inclined to think that you have not discovered a new mine at all, but have stumbled on to the old Lost Golden Girl. If so, you are to be congratulated … and so are we."
Drennen nodded, waiting for Sothern to go on.
"You made a certain offer to Charlie Madden," continued Sothern. "Was that your bona fide proposition, Mr. Drennen? Or were you merely sparring for time and putting out a bluff?"
"I meant business," returned Drennen. "I know that the property is worth considerably more than I am asking. But I have a use for just that sum."
"A hundred thousand dollars, cash, I believe? And a ten per cent royalty?" put in McCall quietly.
"Exactly." Again Drennen nodded.
"You want me to look it over with you, Sothern?" demanded McCall. "It isn't necessary, you know. Not now."