Part 42 (2/2)
”There don't seem to be anything the matter with the boy.”
”Nothing but a healthy appet.i.te,” answered Herbert, smiling.
”That won't hurt anybody. Mr. Melville, do you smoke?”
”No, thank you.”
”Queer! Don't see how you can do without it? Why, sir, I'd been homesick without my pipe. It's company, I tell you, when a chap's alone and got no one to speak to.”
”I take it, Mr. Holden, you are not here for your health?”
”No, I should say not; I'm tough as a hickory nut. When I drop off it's more likely to be an Indian bullet than any disease. I'm forty-seven years old, and I don't know what it is to be sick.”
”You are fortunate, Mr. Holden.”
”I expect I am. But I haven't answered your question. I'm interested in mines, Mr. Melville. Have you ever been to Deer Creek?”
”Yes, I went over with Herbert to visit the store there one day last week.”
”Did you ever hear of the Blazing Star Mine?”
”No, I believe not.”
”I own it,” said Holden. ”It's a good mine, and would make me rich if I had a little more money to work it.”
”Are the indications favorable, then?” asked Melville.
”It looks well, if that's what you mean. Yes, sir; the Star is a first-cla.s.s property.”
”Then it's a pity you don't work it.”
”That's what I say myself. Mr. Melville, I've a proposal to make to you.”
”What is it, Mr. Holden?”
”If you could manage to call me Jack, it would seem more social like.”
”By all means, then, Jack!” said Melville smiling.
”You give me money enough to develop the mine, and I'll make half of it over to you.”
”How much is needed?” asked Melville.
”Not over five hundred dollars. It's a bargain, I tell you.”
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