"There may be a way. We will talk of that this evening."
Nine o'clock found the three collected in the small room which had been hired by Ferguson for himself and Tom.
"My friend," said Ferguson, "you told us that you found a favorable place for mining up in the Sierras."
"Yes, I 'struck it rich.'"
"I take it for granted that you did not exhaust the wealth of the place?"
"Far from it. I only dipped into it. There is abundance left."
"Is this place known to many?"
"To only one, so far as I know. He and I worked independently, but were company for each other."
"But what induced you to leave so rich a claim?"
"I was tired of working, and wanted to come to the city for a change. You know what a change I have experienced here."