hich he
found it impossible to read the masterpieces of the editor of _The
Pioneer Bushman_; pursed his lips, to indicate that he hardly relished
the old gentleman's manner; scrutinised the columns of the newspaper for
a desired paragraph, on which, when found, he placed a substantial
forefinger; and then, glancing at Mr. Crewe, he said abruptly, "Read
that, boss," and puffed furiously at his pipe, while he watched the old
man's face through a thick cloud of tobacco smoke.

Mr. Crewe read the paragraph; folded up the paper, and placed it on the
couch beside him; looked at the ceiling; glanced round the room; turned
his keen eyes on Tresco, and said:--

"Well, what of that? I saw that an hour ago. It's very fine, if true;
very fine, indeed."

"True, mister? _I_ bought the gold _myself_! _I_ gave the information to
the 'buster'! Now, here is my plan. I know this gold is _new_ gold--it's
no relation to any gold I ever bought before. It comes from a virgin
field. By the special knowledge I possess as a gold-buyer, I am able to
say that; and you know when a virgin field yields readily as much as
eighty-two ounces, the odds are in favour of it yielding thousands. Look
at the Golden Bar. You remember that?--eight thousand ounces in two
days, and the field's been worked ever since. Then there was Greenstone
Gully--a man came into town with fifty ounces, and the party that
tracked him made two thousand ounces within a month. Those finds were at
a distance, but this one is a local affair. How do I know?--my special
knowledge, mister; my intuitive reading of signs which prognosticate
coming events; my knowledge of the characters and ways of diggers. All
this I am willing to place at your disposal, on one condition, Mr.
Crewe; and that condition is that we are partners in the speculation. I
find the field--otherwise the partnership lapses--and you find me L200
and the little capital required. I engage to do my part within a week."

Mr. Crewe stroked his nose with his forefinger and thumb, as was his
habit when in deep contemplation.

"But--ah--what if I were to tell you that I can find the field entirely
by my own exertions? What do you say to that, Mr. Tresco? What do you
say to that?"

"I say, sir, without the least hesitation, that you _never_ will find
it. I say that you will spend money and valuable time in a wild-goose
chase, whereas _I_ shall be entirely successful."

"We shall see," said Mr. Crewe, rising from his s