"I have," he said, "invented a metal, a compound which is absolutely indistinguishable from gold, which is in fact gold, and of which I shall make my figures. Mystery gold was a clumsy juggle that one found out in the fire. My gold is _bonâ fide_ a miracle, and I have called it Miracle Gold. My gold will resist the acid, and the blow-pipe, and the crucible. As I live, if they provoke me, I will sell them not metal miracle gold, but perchloride of miracle gold. No one can doubt me then!" "And will you be able, Mr. Leigh, to make not only enough for your figures but some for sale also?" asked Mr. Anstruther. "I may be able to spare a little, but my gold cannot be sold for a chapman's price. It will cost me much in money and health and risk, and even then the yield will be small." "In health and risk?" said Miss Ashton, in a tone of concern and sympathy. "How in health and risk?" He seemed even now to have but little store of health. He lowered his head and abated the arrogance of his manner. "The steam of fusing metals and fumes of acids are not for men who would live long, Miss Ashton. They paralyse the muscles and eat into the wholesome flesh of those whose flesh is wholesome, while with one who is not fashioned fair to the four winds of attack, the end comes with insidious speed. Then for the risk, there are conjunctions of substances that, both in the dry and the wet, lead often to unexpected ebullitions and rancorous explosions of gas or mere forces that kill. There may spring out of experiments vapours more deadly than any known now, poisons that will slay like the sight of the angel of death." "Then, Mr. Leigh," said the girl, with eyes fixed upon him, "why need you make these figures of time of such costly material?" "Ah, there may be reasons too tedious to relate." "And does the good fortune you speak of concern the manufacture of this miracle gold?" she asked with a faint flush, and eyes shining with anxiety. "It does." "A discovery which perhaps will make the manufacture less dangerous?" "Which would make the manufacture unnecessary." She clasped her hands before her with delight, and cried while her eyes shone joyously into his, "Oh, that would be lucky indeed. And how will you know if your augury of good fortune will come true?" "You are interested?" He bent his head still lower, and his voice was neither so firm nor so harsh. "Intensely. You tell us your life may be endangered if you go on. Tell us you think you can avoid the risk." "I do not know yet." "When can you know?" "Would you care to hear as soon as I know?" "Oh, yes." "I shall, I think, be certain by this day week." "Then come to us again next Thursday. We shall all be here as we are now?" "Thank you, Miss Ashton, I will. Good day." He backed a pace and bowed to her, and then turned round, and, with head erect and scornful eyes flashing right and left, but seeing nothing, strode out of the room.