"That may be true, but a thousand pounds is a large sum of money, and where are we to find it?" I asked.
"Why, I have five hundred pounds that I don't want to use, and I am so certain that what I recommend will succeed, that you are welcome to it without interest for a twelvemonth."
Mr. Brown seemed so sincere and honest that we were compelled to shake hands with him in token of our appreciation of his offer.
"We are comparatively strangers to you," Fred said. "How dare you to offer to trust us with money, when you don't know but we may deceive you?"
"Because I have met a number of Americans here at Ballarat, and I never knew one to do a dishonest action, no matter how hard he strove to make money. But what makes me feel positive in this case that I shan't lose my funds, is the honesty expressed in your faces."
"Pray spare our blushes, Mr. Brown," Fred said, laughing, "for we have not met with so much praise since we have been in Australia."
"Then you have been thrown in contact with rogues, who didn't give honest men their due. But speak; is my offer accepted?"
"We will consider on it, and let you know how we feel disposed, in the course of the day. But of one thing rest assured. We shall not call upon you for money, as we can manage to raise enough of our own to commence business."
Mr. Inspector Brown looked disappointed, and seemed to think that we had been playing with him.
"We only plead poverty to see if you would lend us your powerful assistance," Fred said. "If we should conclude to follow your advice, we will be sure and ask aid from you if we require it."