Mrs. Byram left the room to deliver the message, and Bill delayed his
partners that they might know exactly how he felt regarding the matter
before starting on the journey.

CHAPTER XXX

A SUIT AT LAW

"Don't give in an inch," Bill said, in conclusion to his remarks
concerning the validity of the title. "Get over there as quick as you
can, and don't let the lawyer weaken."

"It'll take big money to carry on a fight in law."

"We'll try to raise it somehow."

After promising to send him word as to the progress of affairs before
night, in case they were detained more than one day, Joe and Fred went
down stairs, and at that moment Mrs. Byram opened the door to admit Mr.
Wright.

He was particularly pleasant in his greetings, and asked, as he observed
that they were on the point of going out:

"Did you finally conclude to come to the office?"

"We were on our way to Blacktown," Joe replied gruffly.

"But we have plenty of time for a chat, since the train does not leave
for two hours of more."

"We are going to walk," Fred explained.

"Then you can surely spare me half an hour."

"What for?" Joe asked sharply.

"I wish to see if we can't arrive at some amicable settlement of the
suit which I have been forced to bring."

"Wouldn't it been better to have talked first, an' then begun the law
business?"

"In regard to that I had no alternative. The company ordered me to
proceed exactly as I did."

"I'd like to hear what's goin' on down there," Bill shouted from above,
and Fred said:

"It's no more than fair that we should go upstairs. He's got the right
to know what Mr. Wright proposes."

"Yes, I prefer to speak with all the partners, though perhaps there is
no necessity of sending for Thorpe."

"We haven't got the time to do that," Joe replied. "Come on, an' let's
get through with the business as soon as we can, for we're due in
Blacktown mighty soon."

The miner led the way to the invalid's chamber, and Bill greeted his
former superintendent with the curtest of nods.

"I have come in the hope that we can arrange matters without having
recourse to the law," Mr. Wright began. "If, immediately after
discovering the vein, you had advised me, I could have told you that our
company owns the entire mountain, by purchase from the heirs of the
original owner."

"But Mr. Hunter told us the title was perfect," Fred interrupted.

"Lawyers cannot always be depended upon. There is no question as to