“Thank you, Harry. You are a true friend. I can’t do much for you, but I’ll do what I can.”
“If I had known of the high prices, I would have drawn more money from the professor,” continued Harry. “However, I can make this do. But I want to start to-morrow, if possible. We shall then be owing four days’ board each, and that will make eight pounds.”
At this point Fletcher joined them.
“By the way,” said he nonchalantly, “I want to ask a little favour.”
“What is it?” asked Harry unsuspiciously.
“I am rather short of money. Can you lend me five pounds?”
“I am sorry to refuse, Mr. Fletcher,” he said, “but Jack and I are ourselves very poorly provided with money, and just before you came in we were considering how we could manage to pay for the necessary outfit.”
“Haven’t you got five pounds?” asked Fletcher quickly.
“Of course we have, or we should be unable to get to the mines.”
“Then I think you might oblige me,” he continued, looking very much displeased.