"Judge Simmons is a better specimen of a gentleman than old Field," was the footman’s conclusion as he piloted the visitor into the library, "and I fancy he knows a thing or two by the look of him. I shouldn’t like to be faced by him if there was anything shady I wanted to hide. His eyes seem to go right through you, as if he could count your very bones." Certainly the tall spare figure that crossed the room to shake hands with Mr. Field was a good example of the typical well-bred American. Clean-shaven, with a firm jaw, and quick, piercing eyes, he gave one the impression at once of a strong man, alert and observant, with a sense of humour tempering the sternness of the mouth. "I must apologize," he said, "for intruding upon you in this manner, but I shall be grateful if you will allow me to speak to you on a matter of rather urgent business." Mr. Field motioned him to a chair, and replied that he would be pleased to assist him if it was in his power to do so. "Well," continued the stranger, "the fact is this. I have a young friend over in Mexico, who is rather too fond of embarking on commercial enterprises of a decidedly risky and precarious nature, and as I am in a way his adviser, I feel a certain amount of responsibility when he asks my opinion about things. He has just written, saying he has the option of purchasing some land in which rumour says that silver maybe found, and he wants to know what I think about it. It is quite out of your beat, Mr. Field, as I know your mines are in California, so I felt it would not be trespassing on your preserves if I asked you to be kind enough to answer a few questions in a friendly way as to the risks of such a speculation, knowing what an authority you are upon the subject. I am staying with Lord Monfort, and, hearing that you resided so near, I ventured to make myself known to you, hoping that my nationality would perhaps appeal to you, seeing you have lived so long in my country." Mr. Field’s features, which at first had been decidedly forbidding, relaxed at the mention of the earl. Aloof though he held himself from the ordinary run of mankind, it was his secret ambition to mix with that society into which, except for his great wealth, he could never hope to obtain entrance. To know that he had been the subject of conversation at Lanthorne Abbey was as nectar to his aspiring soul. "I shall be glad to do what I can for you," he said urbanely, "if you will kindly give me some particulars as to locality and the like." After about half an hour’s conference Judge Simmons rose to go. "You will stay to lunch, won’t you?" urged Mr. Field. "It’s getting on towards one o’clock, and I shall be pleased to welcome you, if you will be content with merely the company of myself and my little boy."