"Of course not, you old fire-eater," Hilliard answered good-humoredly,
"but I do believe, and so must you, that there is something queer
going on. We want to be sure there is nothing sinister behind it.
Surely, old man, you will help me in that?"

"If I thought there was anything wrong you know I'd help you,"
Merriman returned, somewhat mollified by the other's attitude. "But
I don't. It is quite absurd to suggest the Coburns are engaged in
anything illegal, and if you grant that your whole case falls to
the ground."

Hilliard saw that for the moment at all events he could get no more.
He therefore dropped the subject and they conversed on other topics
until it was time to go ashore.

Lunch with their new acquaintances passed pleasantly, and after it
the two friends went with Mr. Coburn to see over the works. Hilliard
thought it better to explain that they had seen something of them on
the previous day, but notwithstanding this assurance Mr. Coburn
insisted on their going over the whole place again. He showed them
everything in detail, and when the inspection was complete both men
felt more than ever convinced that the business was genuine, and
that nothing was being carried on other than the ostensible trade.
Mr. Coburn, also, gave them his views on the enterprise, and these
seemed so eminently reasonable and natural that Hilliard's suspicions
once more became dulled, and he began to wonder if their host's
peculiar manner could not have been due to some cause other than
that he had imagined.

"There is not so much money in the pit-props as I had hoped," Mr.