'Is there anyone else beside yourself interested in it in this country?'
'Yes,' said Wentworth, with some hesitation; 'John Kenyon, a mining expert, is interested in it, and Mr. Longworth—young Mr. Longworth of the City.'
'Any relation to John Longworth?'
'His nephew.'
'Ah, well, anything that Longworth has an interest in is reasonably sure of being successful.'
'I am perhaps going too far in saying he has an interest in the mine, but in coming from America he seemed desirous of going in with us. My partner. John Kenyon, of whom I spoke just now, is with him at the present moment, I believe.'
'Very well. I will submit this specimen to Mr. Brand as you desire, and will let you know to-morrow what he says.'
With that Wentworth took his leave, and in going out through the hall he met the manager of the china works, although he didn't know at the time who he was. He was a very shrewd-faced individual, who walked with a brisk business step which showed he believed that time was money.
'Well, Melville,' he said when he entered, 'I am a little late to-day, am I not?'
'You are a little behind the usual time, but not much.'