“You interest me,” he remarked. “But, the fact is, I—er—I’ve bought it.”
“Already!”
“At nine o’clock, according to agreement. Burthon sent word he’d come to my hotel instead of meeting me at his office, as first planned.”
“Oh, I see!” cried Orissa, much disappointed. “He knew I would prevent the crime.”
“Crime, miss?”
“Is it not a crime to rob you of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”
“It would be, of course. I should dislike to lose so much money.”
“You have lost it!” declared the girl. “That mine has no gold in it at all—except what has been bought elsewhere and placed in it to deceive a purchaser.”
Mr. Cumberford replaced his glasses, adjusting them carefully upon his nose. Then he stared at Orissa again.
“You’re an honest young woman,” he said calmly. “I’m much obliged. You interest me. But—ahem!—Burthon has my money, you see.”