The stranger laughed heartily.
"I see you are a humorist. I expect you will be at the head of a mine yourself one of these fine days."
"I expect to be," answered the lad so quickly as fairly to take the other man's breath away. "That day is a long way off, however."
"Perhaps not so far off as you think. There is a way that men of your ability and mind may improve their conditions."
"May I ask what your business is, sir?"
"I am interested in mines. I am up here on mining business. By the way, I have some of the finest samples of ore that you ever saw."
"Indeed."
Steve was interested in spite of himself.
"Yes; I can show you samples that will interest you greatly. If you have a little time I wish you would come up to my room. We can talk to better advantage there than down here, and besides I can show you the samples without a crowd gathering about us."
"I do not know you, sir," answered the lad, with a half smile.