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Sappers and Miners; The Flood beneath the Sea, a novel by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 13. The Compact Sealed |
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_ CHAPTER THIRTEEN. THE COMPACT SEALED "No, no, my boy, don't be alarmed," said the Major, turning to smile at his son. "It is only that I am a little nervous and impressionable from my illness. But it is strange how a depth attracts, and how necessary it is for boys to be careful and master themselves when tempted to do things that are risky. Upon my word, I marvel at the daring of you fellows in running such a risk as you did the other day." "It was not Joe, sir," interposed Gwyn. "I went down." "But I'll be bound to say my boy was ready to offer." The pair of actors in the trouble glanced at each other, and Joe's cheeks grew red again. "Take my advice," said the Major, "as boy or man never do anything risky unless it is for some good reason. One has no right to go into danger unless it is as an act of duty." "Quite right," said the Colonel; "that's what I tell Gwyn; but boys have such terribly short memories. There, we may as well go back; but you had better wash your face at the first pool, Gwyn. You look horrible. I can't have you go home in that condition." "No; he would frighten Mrs Pendarve out of her senses," said the Major. "Well, I've seen the wonderful mine, and it looks just like what it is: a big square hole, with plenty of room to throw down money enough to ruin the Queen. But you were right, Pendarve: the fresh air and the exertion have done me good. I must go back, though, now; the fever makes me weak." That evening the Colonel had a long talk with his son, for he had come to the conclusion that they had not heard the end of the man's visit to the mine. "It seems to me, Gwyn," he said, "that something must have been known about the place and caused this amateurish kind of inspection." "I've been thinking so, too, father," said Gwyn. "Sam Hardock must have been talking about it to different people, and praised it so that someone wants to begin mining." They had come to the right conclusion, for the very next day a dog-cart was driven to the Cove, stopped at the Colonel's gate, and a little fussy-looking gentleman, with sharp eyes, a snub nose, and grey hair, which seemed to have a habit of standing out in pointed tufts, came up to the door, knocked, and sent in his card. "Mr Lester Dix, solicitor, Plymouth," said the Colonel, reading the card, as he and Gwyn were busy over a work on military manoeuvres. "I don't know any Mr Dix. Show him in." "Shall I go, father?" "No, I think not, my boy. I don't suppose it is anything important, unless it is someone come to claim damages for the assault you committed on the man at the mine, and for confiscating the reel and line." "Oh, it would not be that, would it, father?" cried Gwyn, anxiously. "And besides--" "He began it, eh? Well, we shall see. You had better stay." The visitor was shown it, and entered with so smiling a countenance that at first Gwyn felt better; but a suspicion came over him directly after that the smile might mean a masking of the real attack. For Gwyn's education was growing decidedly military, his father devoting a great deal of time to reading works on fortification and army matters. But he was soon set at rest, for, after a few preliminary words of apology for the call, with some remarks on the fineness of the morning, and the pleasant drive over from the station, the visitor plunged at once into the object of his visit. "The fact is, Colonel Pendarve, my professional business lies a great deal with mining companies, and one of those for whom I act have been for some time looking out for a spot here on the west coast, where they could exploit, so to speak, the land, and try with the newer machinery some of the old neglected workings. Now, I am instructed that you have on your estate one of these disused mines, and my company, for whom I act, are willing to run the risk of trying if anything can be made of it with the modern appliances. You see I am quite frank with you, sir. In other words, they are desirous of becoming the purchasers of your little estate here at a good advance upon the sum for which you purchased it." "Indeed?" said the Colonel, smiling. "Yes, sir; and I will not conceal from you the fact that they will be quite willing to agree to what would really be a most advantageous thing for you." "Then the old mine must be very valuable," said Gwyn, excitedly. "Eh?" ejaculated the visitor, turning his eyes sharply upon the boy. "Oh dear me, no, my dear young friend. That does not follow. It might turn out to be, of course; but mining is a terribly speculative, risky business, and the probabilities are that this mine--let me see, Ydoll, I think, is the old name, and eh, young gentleman, not badly named? Been lying idle for a very long time, I suppose? Eh? You'll excuse the joke. We may lose very heavily in this one, while we gain on others. But, of course, Colonel Pendarve, that is not my affair. My instructions, to be brief, are to ascertain whether you will sell, and, if you will take a reasonable price, to close with you at once." "I wish father would ask him how he knows about the mine," thought Gwyn. "May I ask how you became aware of the existence of this place, sir?" asked the Colonel. "Maps and plans, sir. I have pretty well every property marked out all through the country; picturesque and geological features all set down. Quite a study, young gentleman. You have a nice place here Colonel Pendarve, but you must find it bleak, and I think I may venture to say this is an opportunity for parting with it most profitably." "I suppose so, sir," said the Colonel, "for your clients would not be, I presume, particular about a few hundreds to obtain possession?" "Well," replied the lawyer, smiling, "without committing myself, I think I may say that your wishes within reason would be met, sir, upon pecuniary points." "Well that sounds satisfactory," said the Colonel, "but I have grown attached to the place, and so has my son." "Oh, yes, father," said Gwyn, eagerly. "I don't want to go." "Plenty of more beautiful places to be had, my dear sir," said the lawyer, "by the man who has money." "I have improved the house, too, a great deal lately." "So I should suppose, sir," said the lawyer; "but we should consider all that in the purchase money." "And I have made my little garden one of the most productive in the county." "All of which we will take into consideration, my dear sir. Now, not to take up your time, what do you say? I have a plan in my pocket of the estate, and I am quite prepared to come to terms at once." "But is not this very sudden?" said the Colonel, smiling. "Well, perhaps so, my dear sir; but I always advise the companies who intrust me with their affairs to be business-like and prompt. Let us have none of the law's delays, my dear sir, I say. It means waste of time; and as time is money, it is a waste of hard cash. Now, sir, you, as a military man, know the value of decision." "I hope so," said the Colonel, who looked amused. "Well, in plain English, sir, will you sell?" "In plain English, Mr Dix," said the Colonel, promptly, "'No.'" "Take time, my dear sir, take time," said the lawyer. "Don't, let me implore you, throw away a good chance. Name your terms." "I have no terms to propose, sir. I like my house here, and I shall not part with it at any price.--Yes, Dolly? What is it?" For the maid had tapped and entered, looking very round-eyed and surprised. "Another gentleman to see you, sir." "Indeed? You will not mind, Mr Dix?" "Oh, by no means, my dear sir. But one moment, please. Why not close with my proposal? Come, my dear sir, to be plain, I will take the place at your own terms." "You will not take the place at any terms, sir," said the Colonel, decisively. "Dolly, show the other gentleman in. But did he give you his card?" "No, sir; said he'd like to speak to you himself." "Show him in, then." "Hah!" ejaculated the lawyer; "but you will alter your mind, Colonel Pendarve?" "I hope not." "But if you do, you will give me the first offer?" "I will make no promises, sir," replied the Colonel. At that moment a reddish-haired, sour-looking man was shown in, and he nodded shortly to the lawyer. "You here?" he said. "Yes, my dear Brownson, I am here. Business, my dear sir, business. You really do not mean to say that you have come on the same mission as I." "I beg pardon, Colonel Pendarve," said the fresh visitor. "I was not aware that Mr Dix here proposed visiting you. Can I have the pleasure of a few words on business of great importance?" "Certainly," said the Colonel, who now looked very much amused; "but may I ask if it is concerning the purchase of the mine?" "To be frank, sir, yes, it is. On the behalf of a client, but--but you don't mean that I am too late?" There was a look of misery in the newcomer's face that was comical, and before the Colonel could speak, he went on:-- "Don't be rash, sir, pray don't be rash. You cannot have closed yet, and I am here prepared, not merely to negotiate, but to come to the most advantageous terms for you." Mr Dix chuckled, rubbed his hands, and gave the newcomer a look which seemed to sting him to the core. "I need hardly say, gentlemen," said the Colonel, "that this visit has taken me quite by surprise. I did not expect these sudden offers from what seem to 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 do? Surely to take our fair and liberal offer. We are very old established, and shall carry that old mine to a triumphant success. What would you advise?" "Oh, Major Jollivet, don't advise him to sell," whispered Gwyn. "Silence, sir! How dah you interfere!" cried the Major. "Pendarve, if this boy speaks again, send him away." "Oh, he will not hurt," said the Colonel. "Now, what do you say?" "Ahem!" coughed the Major, and then he took out an India bandanna silk handkerchief, and blew his nose with a blast like that of a trumpet heralding a charge. "I say, gentlemen, that my old friend, Colonel Pendarve, and I, are very much obliged to you for your offer, which is one that we refuse without the smallest hesitation." "I will increase my offer, gentlemen; I did not know that Colonel Pendarve had a partner," said Mr Dix. "I will double mine, gentlemen," cried Brownson. "Gwyn," said the Colonel. "Never mind the licence; you had better jump on the table and play auctioneer." "By all means," cried Dix, "and knock it down to the highest bidder." "No!" roared the Major. "Keep your place, boy. Out of the question. The mine is not for sale. Colonel Pendarve and I are going to carry it on ourselves." "What!" cried the two lawyers in a breath. "Jollivet and Pendarve of the Ydoll Mine," cried the Colonel, excitedly. "That's it, the other way on," said the Major. "Your own proposal; do you hold to it? I came to ask you if you would, before I knew these people were here. Now, then, what do you say?" "Jollivet and Pendarve." "Pendarve and Jollivet, or I won't play," cried the Major. "As you wish," said the Colonel, "There's my hand and seal." "And mine," cried the Major, seizing the hand extended to him. "Don't, don't say that, gentlemen," cried Dix, wildly, "It may mean ruin to you both." "And destruction," cried Brownson. "Very well," said the Major. "We're old soldiers, we'll face all as we've often faced death. Pen, old man, for the sake of the boys." "For the sake of the boys," cried the Colonel. And the next minute the two mining companies' agents were bowed out, while Gwyn leaped on a chair to shout "hurrah!" just as the French window was darkened, and a voice cried,-- "Is father here?" Joe was not long before he heard the news. _ |
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