“A great mine, that, Mr. Jones,” said Cupell.
“Looks like it,” returned Nick. “Could you do a little assaying for me, Mr. Cupell?”
“Why, yes, certainly. I’ll have Gillman——”
“No, not Gillman. I want you to attend to it personally and send Gillman out somewhere while it’s being done.”
“It isn’t possible you suspect there is anything wrong with that assay?”
“It’s immaterial what I suspect, Mr. Cupell.” The detective walked close to the assayer and bent over him. “My real name is not Jones but Carter——”
“Nick Carter?”
“Yes.”
“And you were here to watch and see that the assay was properly made?”
“I was here for a purpose. How long will it take you to make the assay?”