cents," responded Peveril.

"Done! It's a bargain," cried the other. "And we'll settle the details
of the transfer after eating the elegant supper that I discover in
process of preparation. But you are not cooking half enough. I could
eat twice as much as that and still be hungry. Let me show you how.
What has become of Aunty Nimmo, that I find you presiding over her
domain? Never mind; tell me later, after you've called Connell or some
one to look after my horse."

"I will gladly attend to the horse, major, if you will take charge of
the cooking," said Peveril, laughing for the first time that day. "You
see, I am not an expert at this sort of thing, and--"

"No, I should judge not," interrupted the other, glancing comically at
the various burned, lumpy, and muddy failures with which the stove was
covered; "but I'll do the trick for you if you will look after the
beast."

Half an hour later the two sat down to a bountiful and fairly
well-cooked meal that in the major's cheery company seemed to poor,
hungry Peveril about as fine a one as he had ever eaten. While it was
in progress he told of the happenings of the past week, including the
mysterious disappearance of the Darrells; but, as the major did not
seem to have any news to impart in return, he concluded that there was
none to tell, and so forbore to ask questions.

It was not until after they had finished supper and were sitting
before a cheerful blaze in the cosey living-room of the Darrell house
that the major said:

"Now for our bargain. Though I could, of course, hold you to that
five-cent deal, I won't do so, but will, instead, make an offer of ten
thousand dollars for one-half of your half-interest in the Copper
Princess."

"What!" gasped Peveril.

"Yes, I mean it; and, in addition, if you will devote that sum to the
development of the mine, I will advance an equal amount, or ten
thousand dollars more, for the same purpose. Now don't say a word
until I have explained the situation. By a careful searching of old
records and maps I have discovered that the Princess property not only
embraces our prehistoric mine, but extends some distance beyond it. I
think I have also found out why those who originally laid out this
mine started their cuts on the wrong side of their shaft. They
evidently knew that ancient workings existed somewhere in this
neighborhood, but they were deceived as to their location, for on all
the maps I find them marked, but the pla