"
Tom glanced at his chum, then answered, slowly:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Dunlop, sorry indeed, if-----"
"What are you trying to say?" demanded the mine promoter sharply.
"When you left here, Mr. Dunlop, we told you that we couldn't agree
to hold our offer open."
"Oh, that's all right. I've come right back and taken up your
terms with you," replied the promoter easily.
"But I'm sorry to say, sir, that you are too late."
"Too late? What are you talking about, Reade? You haven't entered
the employ of any one else not in this wilderness."
"We've formed a partnership with Ferrers, sir," Reade gravely
informed Mr. Dunlop, "and we're going into the mining business
on our own account."
"Nonsense! Where's your claim?"
"Somewhere, sir, in this part of Nevada."
"You haven't found the claim yet, then?" asked the promoter, with
a tinge of relief in his voice.
"No, sir. We located a promising claim, but the Gage gang tricked
us out of it. We'll find another, though."
"Then you'll prove yourselves very talented young men," scoffed
Mr.
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