Part 73 (2/2)
”But I don't want to come down all that way and find that someone has been and chipped them off.”
”Chipped 'em off, sir, when I gave orders that they weren't to be touched!” said the captain, fiercely. ”There aren't a man as would dare to do it 'cept Tom Dina.s.s, and he's gone. Leastwise, he was gone, and has come back. They're all right, sir; and I tell you what, if I were you gen'lemen, I'd bring down a basket o' something to eat, for you'll be down most of the day, and it wouldn't be amiss if you brought some o'
that rhubarb and magneshy wire to light up in the crystal bit, for the roof runs up wonderful high--it's natural and never been cut like.
Regular cave.”
”We'll come, Sam. This is going to be interesting, Joe. We won't forget the rhubarb wire neither.”
”That's right, sir. What do you say to d'rectly after breakfast--say nine o'clock, if it's not too soon for you, Friday--day after to-morrow?”
”We'll be there, Sam. All right down below?”
”Never more regular, sir. She's dry as a bone, and the stuff they're getting's richer than ever. Only to think of it! What a job I had to get the Colonel to start! I say, Mr Gwyn, sir, when he's made his fortune, and you've made yours, I shall expect a pension like the guv'nor's giving Tom Dina.s.s.”
”All right, Sam. I'll see that you have it.”
”Thankye, sir,” said the mining captain, in all seriousness, and he left the office.
No sooner was he gone than Gwyn turned to his companion.
”I say, Joe,” he said; ”you'd better not come.”
”Why not?”
”You've grown too much lately; you'll be taking all the skin off the top of your head, and grow bald before your time.”
”Get out!” said Joe, good-humouredly; ”didn't you hear him say that the roof was too high to see with a candle?”
”Oh, of course,” cried Gwyn. ”Then you'd better come. There must be about room enough in a place like that.”
Joe laughed merrily; and then with a serious look,--
”I say, though,” he cried, ”I really would keep Grip tied up for a bit.”
”I sha'n't, not for all the Tom Dina.s.ses between here and Van Diemen's Land. I will keep him with me, though; I don't want my lord to be bitten. Wonder whether that fellow will come soon for his money. We'll shut Grip in the inner office, for we don't want another scene.”
CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
A DOG'S OPINION.
But Tom Dina.s.s did not go to the office for his promised money, neither was he seen by anyone; and Gwyn began to doubt the truth of the report till it was confirmed by Harry Vores, who stated that his ”Missus” saw the man go into a lawyer's office, and that there was the name on the bra.s.s plate, ”Dix.”
This recalled the visit they had had from a man of that name.
”Perhaps he is dealing with mines, and can give people work,” thought Gwyn; and then the matter pa.s.sed out of his mind.
Friday morning came, and directly after breakfast the two young fellows met, Gwyn provided with a basket of provender, his hammer, chisel and some magnesium ribbon, while Joe had brought an extra-powerful oil lanthorn.
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