Part 9 (2/2)
”_Caballeros_,” he inquired, suddenly, ”what did you think of _El Sombrero_?”
”I would call it, Don Luis,” Harry replied, with enthusiasm, ”the finest mine I have seen or heard of.”
”You did not see the best of the ore to-day,” Montez a.s.sured them.
”What ore we did see is as fine as any we would ever wish to see,”
Tom said.
”Then you were delighted with the mine?” inquired their host, turning to Reade and speaking more eagerly.
”If the ore always runs as well,” Tom rejoined, ”it ought to be one of the richest gold and silver properties in the world.”
”Pouf! The ore usually runs much better--is worth much more than that which you saw to-day,” protested Don Luis.
”Then you are to be congratulated on possessing a treasure among mines,” Tom commented.
”I am delighted to hear you say that.”
”But when we adjourn to your office,” Reade continued, ”there are a few questions that I shall want to ask you.”
”Why not ask them here, Senor Tomaso?” queried Don Luis, in his purring, half affectionate voice.
”Here at your table?” protested Reade.
”But this is not dinner. This is a mere business luncheon,” replied Don Luis, with another smile.
”Yet I would like to discuss some of the samples with you, Don Luis,”
Tom explained. ”Surely, you do not wish me to bring out dirty samples to spread on your fine linen.”
”It would matter not,” declared the Mexican. ”Still, if you have scruples about the proprieties, then we will go to the office within a few minutes.”
The two who were smoking continued to do so. Don Luis started to describe some of his experiments in raising Spanish mules.
The finest mules that come out of Spain, cla.s.s, in price, with blooded horses. Don Luis talked with the enthusiasm of one who understood and loved mules.
Then, finally, they pa.s.sed to the office.
”Now, I shall be glad to talk with you for hours,” the Mexican hidalgo a.s.sured the young engineers.
Dr. Tisco, as though to show that he took no personal interest in the talk, retired to an armchair at the further end of the room.
Nevertheless, the secretary observed carefully all that was said.
Covertly he studied the faces of the young engineers at all times.
”Ask me what you will,” begged Don Luis, as he sank into an easy chair close to the table on which Tom began to arrange his envelopes of specimens taken from the mine.
”First of all, Don Luis,” Tom began, ”you spoke of some problems that you wished us to solve in the operation of your mine.”
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