Part 27 (1/2)

”If I understand the regulations, it would be quite sufficient to leave another miner to carry on the work on my account. Besides, under the mineral-claim enactments which I think apply, the t.i.tle would, in any case, revert to my partner.”

Esmond, who appeared to have recovered his tranquillity, smiled a little, and there was a curious silence in the room as Coulthurst took down a book. Ingleby could feel his heart throbbing as he listened to the sharp rustle of the leaves while the major looked for the clause he wanted.

”You hold a free miner's certificate, Leger?” he asked.

”Yes, sir,” said Leger, and then started visibly, while Ingleby, who saw his face, closed one hand a trifle as he leaned forward in his chair.

”You can produce it?” said the major.

Leger dejectedly pa.s.sed the paper across to him, but Ingleby, who found the suspense becoming unendurable, turned to him.

”Tom,” he said hoa.r.s.ely, ”you didn't neglect to renew it?”

Leger did not seem to remember that anybody else was there. He smiled wryly and made a little gesture.

”I'm afraid I did,” he said. ”I hadn't the money when the time came round. I didn't want you to know that--and I couldn't ask Hetty. We scarcely expected to find anything, you see. Afterwards, I suppose it slipped my memory.”

Ingleby said nothing, though his face was very grim, and the little thud of Coulthurst's hand upon the book broke sharply through the silence.

”Should a free miner neglect to renew his certificate upon expiry all mineral-claims held by him under it revert to the Crown,” he said.

Then he stood up, straight and burly, though his face was a trifle flushed.

”I'm sorry, Ingleby, but I'm afraid you have thrown away your claim.”

Ingleby sat very still for part of a minute with one hand closed tightly. Then he also rose.

”I can't blame you, sir,” he said hoa.r.s.ely. ”I don't think there is anything to be gained by protesting.”

”Well,” said Tomlinson, ”you're 'way more patient than I would be. Why did they let you go on working until you had found the gold?”

Ingleby turned and looked at the police officer with a very unpleasant glint in his eyes. ”That,” he said, ”is a little kindness for which, I fancy, I am indebted to Captain Esmond.”

He would have gone out, but Tomlinson laid a hand upon his arm and turned to the Recorder.

”Now,” he said, ”I'm going to do some talking. That claim's Ingleby's, Major, until you've declared it open, and wiped out his record.”

”Well,” said Coulthurst drily, ”I am sorry to find myself compelled to do it. The claim lately held by Walter Ingleby and Thomas Leger, having reverted to the Crown, is open for relocation. A notice will be issued to that effect. I may, however, point out--to you--that no free miner can hold more than one claim in the same vicinity.”

”That's all right,” said Tomlinson. ”The one I've got is quite enough for me. You have a certificate, Ingleby. Take out a new one, Leger.”

Leger drew the little bag from his pocket, but Tomlinson waved it aside, and threw another down before Coulthurst, glancing at Esmond as he did so.

”That gold came out of the reverted mine, and they might claim it wasn't yours. We'll make sure,” he said. ”There's a man worth keeping your eye on who has a hand in this deal. More than the necessary amount there, sir? Let him have his certificate. I'll look in for the rest any time that suits you.”

Coulthurst's eyes twinkled a little as comprehension dawned on him, and he pa.s.sed Leger the paper.

”I fancy any advice that prospector Tomlinson desires to give you would be worth considering,” he said.