Part 87 (2/2)

”Why, for you to go to law with them for spoiling your mine. You've only got to start it, and I'll come and swear to it all, and you can get them transported. Don't you be afraid, sir; I'll come and speak out, and then--”

”I'm to give you a hundred pounds, I suppose?”

”Well, sir,” said the man, grinning, ”I must have it out o' some one.

But don't you be afraid; I'll bring it home to 'em sharp. Now what do you say?”

”This,” cried the Colonel; ”I'm too old, and my son is too young, to horsewhip such a scoundrel as you are. Be off my premises at once, sir; and if you dare to come here again, old as I am, or young as he is, we'll try.”

”What?” cried Dina.s.s, in a bullying tone.

”Gwyn, my boy,” said the Colonel, calmly, ”go and unloose Grip.”

The words acted like magic, and they never saw Tom Dina.s.s again, for in consultation with his old partner and friend it was decided that nothing was to be gained by a prosecution. The mining was over, they were as happy without it, and life was not long enough to punish scoundrels who had lost already in their nefarious game.

”But, oh!” cried Gwyn, ”I only wish he had stopped till I had let loose Grip.”

THE END.

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