“Then you have really located a valuable copper deposit?” asked Jack with kindling eyes, for he had a strong enthusiasm for anything connected with mines and minerals.
“That’s the size of it, young gent. It’s an old, deserted surface copper mine that was originally worked after a rude fashion by the Injuns, or some other folks who didn’t know its value. There’s millions of pounds there waiting for modern methods to bring it up to the light of day.”
Jack and Charlie looked at the several rich specimens Prawle laid out for their inspection, and then at one another.
Evidently this tramplike man, whom they had so strangely brought back to life, had stumbled on to a good thing.
Both of the boys had read stories of similar good things having been discovered by the merest accident, and the tales had excited their imagination at the time.
But this was different.
Here was evidence of a thrilling fact, and this prospect of sudden wealth, as it were, could not fail to have its effect on the two lads.
At this point Meyer made his appearance with an abundant cold repast, which, being placed before the stranger, he attacked like a famished wolf.
CHAPTER III.
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW.