This Tom did at once, after which Mr. Dunlop presented his three
companions. One was his nephew, Dave Hill, the second, George
Parkinson, Mr. Dunlop's secretary, and the third a man named John
Ransome, an investor in Mr. Dunlop's mining enterprise. The elder
of the armed men who remained behind was Joe Timmins, both guide
and chauffeur. The young man who had gone with one of the cars
was Timmins's son.

"You have a mining claim hereabouts, Mr. Dunlop?" Tom inquired.

"Yes; but not exactly at this point," added the older man, with
a smile as he noted Reade staring about him with a quizzical smile.
"The claim stands over there on that slope"--- pointing to the
westward.

"Has it been prospected, sir?" asked Hazelton.

"Yes: it's a valuable property, all right. I brought my party
out here to show it to them. The friends who have returned to
Dugout, and Mr. Ransome here, have the money ready to put up the
needed capital as soon as they are satisfied."

"I'm satisfied now," spoke up Ransome, "and I'm sure that the
others are, after what Mr. Dunlop showed us this morning."

"How soon do you begin operations?" Tom asked with interest.

"As soon as my men have talked it over and have concluded to put
up the money, replied Mr. Dunlop.