It was a pretty sight for a child, or any other simple creature. The side wall at the end of the shaft was streaked and veined with a brilliant purple and green pattern. These colours were caused by the iron in the rocks acting upon the slate, which was there abundant. Pendoggat knew that well enough. He knew also that the sight would impress the minister. He lifted the lantern, pointed to a streak of pale blue which ran down the rock from the roof to the water, and said gruffly: "You can see for yourself. That's the stuff." "What is it?" whispered the excited pastor. "Nickel. The rock's full of it." "But don't they know? Does anybody know of it?" "Only you and me," said Pendoggat. "Why have you told me? You are a very generous man, but why do you let me into the secret?" "Come outside," said Pendoggat. They went out. Not a word was spoken until they reached the side of the cleave. Then Pendoggat turned upon the minister, holding his arm and shaking it violently as he said: "I've chosen you as my partner. I can trust you. Will you stand in with me, share the risks, and share the profits? Answer now, and let's have done with it." "I must go home and pray over it, Mr. Pendoggat," cried the excited and shivering Eli. "I must seek for guidance. I do not know if it is right for me to seek after wealth. But for the chapel's sake, for my future wife's sake, for the sake of my unborn infants--" "Yes or no," broke in Pendoggat. "We'll finish it before we move." "What can I do?" said Eli, clasping his clay-like hands. "I know nothing of these things. I don't know anything about nickel, except that I have some spoons and forks--" "Don't you see we must get money to work it? You can manage that. You have several congregations. You can persuade them to invest. My name must be kept out of it. The commoners don't like me. I'll do everything else. You can leave the business in my hands. Your part will be to get the money--and you take half profits." "I will think over it, Mr. Pendoggat. I will think and pray." "Make up your mind now, or I get another partner." Pendoggat lifted the glass of the lantern and blew out the light. "Have we the right to work a mine upon the moor?" "Leave all that to me. You get the money. Tell 'em we will guarantee ten per cent. Likely it will be more. It's as safe a thing as was ever known, and it is the chance of your lifetime. Here's my hand." Eli took the hand, and had the gorse-prickles forced well into his. "I'll do my best, Mr. Pendoggat. I know you are an honest and a generous man," he said. CHAPTER IV ABOUT BEETLES There was a whitewashed cottage called Lewside beside the moorland road, and at a window which commanded a view of that road sat a girl with what appeared to be a glory round her face--it was nothing but soft red hair--a girl of seventeen, called Boodles, or anything else sufficiently idiotic; and this girl was learning doggerel and singing--