e old man gave me power to have that change made. But, now
that she is gone, the property naturally reverts to him."

"We will relocate it!" declared Ketchim impatiently.

"No, that wouldn't be right to the old man," returned Reed. "But, it
might be that the property could now be secured from him. He is old
and penniless, and without any further interest in life. It is a bare
chance, but we might prevail upon him to join us in the formation of a
company to take over his mine, La Libertad."

"Is that the name of it?" asked Ketchim, reaching for a writing pad.
"Spell it for me, please. And the name of the old man."

Reed complied, and then continued: "Now, Mr. Ketchim, we are living
strictly up to the letter of our contract by giving you this
information. It would require not less than one hundred thousand
dollars, cash in hand, to acquire that mine, develop it, make trails,
and erect a stamp-mill. Mr. Harris and I are in no condition
financially to advance or secure such an amount."

"It is barely possible," mused Harris, "that my father and Uncle John
could do something."

"We don't have to call upon them!" cried Ketchim. "Your interest, Mr.
Reed, in this mine already belongs to Molino, as you were acting under
contract with us--"

"I have covered that point, Mr. Ketchim," replied Reed evenly. "But
the time has come for us all to put our shoulders to the wheel, act
fairly with one another, help the Molino stockholders, and at the same
time make good ourselves. Mr. Harris and I have barely entered upon
our business careers, and we have come to New York to establish
ourselves. This may afford the opportunity. We know where this mine
is--we know the old man, and may be able to influence him. To
forestall possible complications, we should begin negotiations with
him at once. But--remember--everything must be done in the name of the
company, not in your own name. And Mr. Harris and I must personally
negotiate with the old man, and receive a very liberal compensation
for our work."

"Certainly!" cried the excited Ketchim. "Goodness, fellows! why didn't
you tell me this yesterday over the 'phone, and save me a night of
torment? But I forgive you. Gracious! Rawlins," he said, addressing
that individual, who had entered in response to the buzzer, "'phone
Cass to come right over. And tell Miss Honeywell to give you ten
dollars for our lunch, and charge it to Molino. It's company business.
By Jove, fellows! this is a hap