"My personal opinion, sir," he answered in clear-cut tones, "is that the deposit is practically exhausted. I came here to tell you so. The engineer's report is, I think, too highly colored." Both father and son started forward in their chairs, their eyes glaring at Philip. They could hardly believe their senses. "What!" burst out Mr. Eggleston--"you don't mean to say that----" "One moment, please," interrupted the treasurer, with an impatient wave of his hand towards Eggleston: "Do you think, Mr. Colton, that the issue had better be deferred?" "I do. Certainly until the mine makes a better showing." Again Mr. Eggleston tried to interrupt and again he was waved into silence. "When did you arrive at this conclusion?" "This morning. I thought differently yesterday, but I have changed my mind. So much so that it would be impossible for me to go on with this loan." "Shall I take that message to the president?" "Yes. If I have any cause to change my opinion I'll let him know. But it is not likely I will--I'm sorry to have given you all this trouble." "Thank you," said the trust company's representative, rising from his chair and extending his hand to Philip. "I might as well tell you that we have heard similar reports and our president felt sure that you would give him the facts. He has great confidence in you, Mr. Colton. If he authorizes me to sign the papers after what you have said to me I'll be back here in a few moments. Good-day, sir!" and with a grim smile lighting his face, the treasurer nodded himself out. Eggleston waited until the trust company's attorney had gathered up his papers and had closed the door behind him--a mere matter of routine with him; almost every day a transaction of this kind was either deferred or culminated--then he swung himself around in his revolving chair, his cheeks purple with rage, and faced Philip. "Well, sir! what do you think of the mess you've made of this morning's business! Do you for one instant suppose that Stockton will go on with this deal after what you have told him?" "If he did, sir, it would not be with my consent," answered Philip coldly. "Your consent! _Your consent!_ What do you know about it? Did you ever mine a pound of copper in your life? Did you ever see a pound mined until you made this last trip? And yet you have the effrontery to set yourself up as an expert against one of the best men in his profession! Do you not know that you have made not only the firm but me ridiculous, by your stupid vacillation--and with the Seaboard, of all trust companies! Why didn't you find out all this before you brought these people down here?" "It is never too late to be honest, sir." "What do you mean by that!" snapped Eggleston.