It is said that Hearst suggested a “blow out” in Europe after their clean-up, in order to disabuse his kinsman’s mind of certain illusions respecting St. Louis. At any rate, the two husky young miners set their faces eastward to look over the effete monarchies of the Old World. [Illustration: GEORGE HEARST An unsurpassed mining genius, former U. S. Senator] While they were pleasure bound, “Bill” Lent stayed behind to look after the investments. He sunk a shaft which headed dead on for the big bonanza and had he continued the work a little further, Flood, O’Brien, Mackay and Fair would have cut a very small figure in history. But he engaged unfortunately in a seductive looking speculation and went to pieces in a grand pyrotechnic and spectacular failure. Hearst and Clark were hopelessly involved. They received the news while they were making the tour of Europe with much eclat. Fortunately they had money enough to reach home. But the main object of the journey was accomplished. When Joe Clark mentioned St. Louis thereafter, it was the voice of a chastened soul that spoke. Of course, nothing could keep Hearst down in a mining region. Any capitalist was only too eager to back a man with such surpassing talents; but he had to pay an awful toll. For years Hearst’s projects were financed at 2½ per cent. per month compounded monthly, and any business that can stand that strain and come out ahead must have a solid foundation to build on. He was the real founder not only of his own but of the vast Haggin and Tevis fortunes. I had mining deals of more or less importance with Haggin, Hearst, Hayward, Hobart, Grayson, in fact, with nearly all the large operators of those times. My largest speculations, however, were with Ralston as a silent partner, which, on average, showed more profit than loss. It was for the purpose of joint investment that late in the fall of 1870 I visited the Emma mine near Salt Lake City, which a year later was the central point of a great international scandal and will play an important part in this narrative. CHAPTER XXI. SAM BRANNAN STRIKES IT RICH AND REFUSES TO SHARE WITH MORMON CHURCH EXCEPT ON ORDER FROM LORD. _Mine Bargain Fails to Stand Inquiry of Author, But Others Invest and Figure as Victims of Fraud._