The Vicar's People Part 34

"Ah, Mr Trethick!" said the banker, quietly, as Geoffrey was ushered into his handsome study, crammed with books that he seldom read, "I hope I have not brought you up from any important engagement."

"Well, yes, I was going to be very busy," said Geoffrey, "I had an appointment on the cliff."

"I am very sorry," said the banker, "I thought--"

"That I had nothing to do, and would come down directly. You were quite right, sir, and here I am."

"But your engagement?"

"Was with myself--to go and loaf about and stare down deserted mine shafts, and growl at the obstinacy of proprietors who refuse to be made rich."

Mr Penwynn had begun to look disappointed; he now brightened a little.

"You are quite at liberty then, Mr Trethick?"

"Quite, sir."

"And willing to earn a few guineas?"

"Most willing, sir. When shall I begin? I'm growing rusty from disuse."

Mr Penwynn sat thinking for a few moments, gazing at Geoffrey, and then he began,--

"Rundell and Sharp spoke most highly of you, Mr Trethick."

"I thank them for their good opinion, sir."

"They said that you were a man most thoroughly to be trusted, and that you were conscientious to a degree."

"Indeed, sir," said Geoffrey, sharply. "When did they say that?"

Mr Penwynn was a little taken aback, but he recovered himself, and said with a smile,--

"In a letter that I have received from them."

"Then you have been writing to make further inquiries about me, Mr Penwynn."

"Well--yes, I have."

"Good!" said Geoffrey, quietly. "Then I presume you are satisfied, Mr Penwynn?"

"Yes, I am," was the reply, "and on the strength of their recommendations I am about to try and throw something--just a trifle--in your way."

"Mining, I hope?"

"Yes, Mr Trethick, mining; but on one condition."

"And what is that, Mr Penwynn?"

"That I have your whole and sole effort to work for my interest to the best of your ability."

"Why, of course, sir," said Geoffrey, "I should be taking your pay."

"Yes, Mr Trethick; but I have known cases where a man takes pay from one employer, and works in the interest of another."

"Mr Penwynn!"

"I don't for a moment hint that you would do such a thing, Mr Trethick.

I merely say to you, I trust you to do for me the best you can, and not let yourself be tempted away from the path of rect.i.tude by any of the scoundrels you may encounter."

"Mr Penwynn," said Geoffrey, warmly, "you ought not to speak to me like that after the letter you say you have had. But now, sir, suppose we proceed to business?"

"Exactly?" said Mr Penwynn, drawing his chair a little nearer.

"The fact is, Mr Trethick--this in confidence, mind, and for the present I don't want to appear in the matter at all--I have been offered at a price a mine over which two or three companies have failed. I want to know whether it is worth my while to buy that mine, and I am going to act upon your Report."

"A tin-mine?" said Geoffrey.

"Yes; a disused mine."

"Not Wheal Carnac?"

"Yes, Wheal Carnac," said Mr Penwynn, starting. "What of it?"

"Buy it!" said Geoffrey, sharply.

"Buy it?" said Mr Penwynn, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"What I say," said Geoffrey, eagerly; "buy it."

"You are not long in giving in a report, Mr Trethick," said the banker, suspiciously. "May I ask what you know of Wheal Carnac?"

"More than you suppose, sir," was the reply. "I have been looking about that place a good deal, and I am of opinion that with capital I could make it pay."

"Oh, yes! so I suppose," said the banker; "but you are going much too fast, Mr Trethick. What I want to know is whether the mine is worth buying at a price."

"What price?" exclaimed Geoffrey.

Mr Penwynn hesitated, bit his nails, tapped the table, and looked again and again at his companion's searching eyes.

"Well," he said at last--"this is in confidence, Mr Trethick--eight hundred pounds!"

"Why the land's worth it," cried Geoffrey; "there can be no doubt about that."

"Possibly," said Mr Penwynn.

"The buildings--the material," cried Geoffrey. "Why really, Mr Penwynn, I could give you a decisive answer at once. The place is worth buying."

The banker sat gazing at him in a curious, searching way, and he made no reply for a few minutes; but it was evident that he was a little infected by Geoffrey's enthusiasm.