'Then, we shall leave five thousand pounds in the bank here for
contingencies, and cable twenty-five thousand pounds to Mr. Kenyon. I
shall expect him to get me a good man to manage the mine. I am sure he
will be glad to do that.'

'Most certainly he will. John Kenyon, now that the mine has not fallen
into the hands of those who tried to cheat him, will be glad to do
anything for the new owner of it. He won't mind, in the least, losing his
money if he knows that you have the mine.'

'Ah, but that is the one thing he must not know. As to losing the money,
neither you nor Mr. Kenyon are to lose a penny. If the mine is all you
think it is, then it will be an exceedingly profitable investment; and I
intend that we shall each take our third, just as if you had contributed
one-third of the money, and Mr. Kenyon another.'

'But, my dear Miss Longworth, that is absurd. We could never accept any
such terms.'

'Oh yes, you can. I spoke to John Kenyon himself about being a partner
in this mine. I am afraid he thought very little of the offer at the
time. I don't intend him to know anything at all about my ownership now.
He has discovered the mine--you and he together. If it is valueless,
then you and he will be two of the sufferers; if it is all you think it
is, then you will be the gainers. The labourer is worthy of his hire,
and I am sure both you and Mr. Kenyon have laboured hard enough in this
venture. Should he guess I bought it, the chances are that he will be
stupidly and stubbornly conscientious, and decline to share the fruits
of his labours.'