There was, of course, a reason for the banker's actions.
John Tregenna had at once taken advantage of the proposal that he should
still be on friendly terms with the Penwynns, and, calling frequently
and dining there, set himself, in a pleasant, frank manner, to remove
any unpleasant feeling that might exist in Rhoda's mind.
To her he was gentlemanly and courteous, without formality, showing in
every way that it was his desire that the past should be forgotten.
With Mr Penwynn he resumed his old business relations, and, as the
banker's confidential solicitor, he finished and carried through a
tiresome law case, which ridded Mr Penwynn of a good deal of anxiety,
and put five hundred pounds in his pocket.
"By the way," he said, on the morning when he had brought in the news of
the satisfactory settlement, and it had been discussed, "they want to
sell Wheal Carnac."
"So Chynoweth told me some little time back," said Mr Penwynn. "I wish
they may get a customer."
"Well, so do I, if it comes to that," said Tregenna, "because I am to
have a hundred if I effect a sale."
"And where will you get customers? Why, they've wasted no end in
putting it up for auction in London, advertisements and one way and the
other."
"Yes, and that makes them willing now to part with the place for a mere
song."
"Bah!" said Mr Penwynn. "The place is worthless. The money wasted
there is enormous."
"Yes, they were pretty extravagant; but do you know, Penwynn, I've got
hold of a man who used to work there."
"Yes?"
"A man of the name of Lannoe."
"Lannoe, Lannoe? Why, that was the man who summoned a miner for half
killing him."
"To be sure, yes, so it was. I remember now. Some quarrel about a
girl."
"Of course. That scoundrel Prawle's wench down at the Cove. Well, what
about him?"
"He swears to me that when the company broke up, and the owners would
advance no more money, they had just got to good paying stuff."
"I don't believe it," said Mr Penwynn sharply.
"Well I don't put much faith in it myself, but they say where there's
smoke there's fire."
"Not in this case, Tregenna, for Wheal Carnac was all smoke."
"Ha, ha, ha! That's not so very bad, Penwynn," said the solicitor,
laughing; "but I cannot help thinking there may be something in it."
"Well, I tell you what I'd do then," said Mr Penwynn, looking very
serious; "you're pretty warm, Tregenna; buy Wheal Carnac, and then buy
up the machinery from some other mine that is in difficulties, work the
concern on your own hook, and land a fortune."
Tregenna half-closed his eyes and tightened his lips into a dry smile of
derision, as he looked at the banker, and then the two men burst into a
hearty laugh.
"Not exactly," said Tregenna. "I don't quite see myself performing such
an act of lunacy at present; but really, seriously though, I do think
there is something in that mine."
"Yes," said Mr Penwynn, picking his teeth, "water!"
"Yes, that's the devil of it. Else they want so little for the place
that I'd go to the expense of having it tested. In fact, they ask so
small a sum now that a man might venture to buy it for nothing else but
a spec, to sell again."
"Like me to buy it, perhaps," said the banker, laughing.
"I don't know," said Tregenna seriously; "but I wouldn't mind going in
for spending a little money in testing the place."
"Now look here, Tregenna," said Mr Penwynn, "what is your game here?"
"My game? Oh, that's soon said. I want to make a hundred pounds
commission on the sale, and get an account against the vendors for
another fifty."
"Do you think there is any thing in that man's words?"
"Heaven knows," said Tregenna; "but if they are true, the place, instead
of being worth eight hundred pounds, would be worth more than as many
thousands."
Mr Penwynn thrust his hands very deeply into his pockets and whistled
softly, as he gazed searchingly at the other. For, though Tregenna had
thrown some hundreds latterly in his way, he was still upon his guard.
"I should estimate the land and foreshore as being worth the money,"
said Tregenna. "There's a good deal of it, and the building material in
squared granite is worth a trifle. There's plenty to build a couple of
good houses."
"Ah! you want to make that hundred and fifty pounds, Tregenna."
"Yes, I do, certainly; but I don't think the buyer could be much out of
pocket unless he began mining on his own account. Of that I wash my
hands. By the way, though, that would not make a bad building site."
"Too exposed," said Mr Penwynn, thoughtfully.
"Well, yes, it is exposed, certainly."
"What do they want for it?"
"A thousand, but between ourselves they wouldn't refuse eight hundred."
"No, I suppose not," said Mr Penwynn, dryly. "Look here, Tregenna,
what will you spring towards having the place pumped out, quietly you
know, to see if there's any truth in your fellow's assertion?"
Tregenna sat tapping the table with his fingers, and he did not reply.
"You don't seem to rise at that fly," said Mr Penwynn, laughing.
"I was thinking whether I could get them to advance fifty pounds for the
purpose; but they're so poor, and if they would it could only be on some
undertaking to buy. I tell you what, Penwynn, I haven't much faith in
the fellow's statement proving correct--I believe, mind you, he's an
honest fellow, but he may have been mistaken--in fact I haven't much
faith in any thing now," he continued dismally; "but I tell you what
I'll do; I'll stand fifty to your fifty to examine the place properly
before you do any thing else, on one condition."
"What's that?"
"That if it turns out a failure and you don't buy, you'll make that
fifty up to me out of something else--that you won't let me be the
loser."
"What else?"
Tregenna laughed.
"There's no doing you, Penwynn, with an assumption of modesty. There,
frankly, I want something more off it. If it turns out a good thing you
will come down handsome."
"I will," said Mr Penwynn. "You leave that to my honour, and I will."
Tregenna screwed up his face a little.
"That's rather vague, my dear sir," he said.
"Well, vague or no, what do you want?"
"A thousand pounds."
"A thousand grandmothers," said Mr Penwynn, pettishly.
"Well, that's not unreasonable," said Tregenna. "I suppose--well, we
won't suppose, but put it in plain figures--if that mine should turn out
well--"
"Which it will not."
"Well, it is the merest chance, but I say if it does turn out well, I
shall have ten per cent of its market value two years hence."
"Done," said Mr Penwynn, holding out his hand.
"Agreed," said Tregenna, grasping it. "Now write a memo to that
effect."
"Isn't it premature rather, seeing that I have decided nothing?"
"Well, perhaps it is," said Tregenna, taking out his watch. "I must be
off. Think the matter over for a few days. Shall I keep it quiet, or
try elsewhere?"
"Try elsewhere if you like," said Mr Penwynn, carelessly.
"All right. Good-morning," said Tregenna. "My kind regards at home."
Mr Penwynn nodded, and Tregenna went out, nodded to Chynoweth, who was
shutting down his desk-lid over a hand of whist, and then walked swiftly
away, muttering one word--
"Hooked!"