me to be rival companies."

"Hardly rival companies, sir; but I must say that Mr Dix has taken a
very unfair advantage of me, after we had agreed to a truce."

"Yes, one which I knew you would break, Brownson," said Dix; "and so I
came on first. Now, Colonel Pendarve you will come to terms with me."

"No, sir," said the Colonel, fiercely, "nor with your friend here. My
mind is quite made up. I do not know to which party the visit of a spy
is due, but you may take these words as final; I shall certainly not
sell this little estate to either of you, nor," he added, after a pause,
"to anyone else. What, another?" he cried, as Dolly re-appeared at the
door.

"No, sir, it's only Major Jollivet, sir. But he says, if you're
engaged, he'll call again."

"Show him in," cried the Colonel. "Ah, there he goes. Call him back,
Gwyn."

The boy flew to the window, and, in answer to his call, the Major came
back, and entered.

"Oh, I didn't wish to interrupt you, Pendarve, but I wanted to have a
few words with you on business. Eh? Yes. Very much better. I shall
be all right for a few months now."

"Let me introduce you," said the Colonel. "This is Mr Dix, solicitor,
of Plymouth, and Mr Brownson, also a solicitor, I presume, of the same
town. My old friend and brother officer, Major Jollivet."

Bows were exchanged, and the visitors scowled at each other.

"Jollivet, these two gentlemen, who represent different companies as
clients, have come over to make me a very advantageous offer for this
little estate."

"Indeed!" said the Major, starting. "What for?"

"They wish to reopen the mine, and are ready to give me my own price."

"Certainly," said Mr Dix.

"Yes, certainly," said Mr Brownson, "with, gentlemen, the addition of a
royalty on our part on all the metal smelted. Come, Dix, that's
trumps."

"Yes, sir, but this is the ace. Colonel Pendarve, I will guarantee you
double the royalty Mr Brownson offers," said Dix.

"Come, that's business, gentlemen," said the Colonel, smiling, while
Gwyn's face was scarlet with excitement. "Now, Jollivet, as the man
whom I always consult on business matters, and irrespective of anything
I may have said to these gentlemen, what would you advise me to do?"

"Ah," exclaimed Mr Dix, rubbing his hands, "what would you advise him
to do, General?"

"Major, sir, Major," said the old officer, shortly.

"Yes, Major Jollivet," said Mr Brownson, "what would you advise him to