he marshes and the mud-holes. Now, the
clay is easily penetrable, and the original hole probably pierced a bed
of china clay. When once the way was made it would become a sort of
highway for the Worm. But as much movement was necessary to ascend such
a great height, some of the clay would become attached to its rough skin
by attrition. The downway must have been easy work, but the ascent was
different, and when the monster came to view in the upper world, it would
be fresh from contact with the white clay. Hence the name, which has no
cryptic significance, but only fact. Now, if that surmise be true--and I
do not see why not--there must be a deposit of valuable clay--possibly of
immense depth."

Adam's comment pleased the old gentleman.

"I have it in my bones, sir, that you have struck--or rather reasoned
out--a great truth."

Sir Nathaniel went on cheerfully. "When the world of commerce wakes up
to the value of your find, it will be as well that your title to
ownership has been perfectly secured. If anyone ever deserved such a
gain, it is you."

With his friend's aid, Adam secured the property without loss of time.
Then he went to see his uncle, and told him about it. Mr. Salton was
delighted to find his young relative already constructively the owner of
so fine an estate--one which gave him an important status in the county.
He made many anxious enquiries about Mimi, and the doings of the White
Worm, but Adam reassured him.

The next morning, when Adam went to his host in the smoking-room, Sir
Nathaniel asked him how he purposed to proceed with regard to keeping his
vow.

"It is a difficult matter which you have undertaken. To destroy such a
monster is something like one of the labours of Hercules, in that not
only its size and weight and power of using them in little-known ways are
against you, but the occult side is alone an unsurpassable difficulty.
The Worm is already master of all the elements except fire--and I do not
see how fire can be used for the attack. It has only to sink into the
earth in its usual way, and you could not overtake it if you had the
resources of the biggest coal-mine in existence. But I daresay you have
mapped out some plan in your mind," he added courteously.

"I have, sir. But, of course, it may not stand the test of practice."

"May I know the idea?"

"Well, sir, this was my argument: At the time of the Chartist trouble, an
idea spread amongst financial circles t