"No, not at present, but if this sort of work goes on I will not be answerable for his health, or life. Do as I advise you, get him away from it all. Make him go, he has plenty of money and it will be of no use to him if he loses his health." "I will do my best," said Jack. "He has promised to go to England with me when I return, and although I did not mean to go back for a year or two, I will tell him I have decided to take the trip as soon as possible." "That's splendid," said the doctor. "If Barry has given you his promise he will keep it; I never knew him break his word." CHAPTER TWENTY-NINTH _BOUND FOR HOME_ "Barry, I must have a serious talk with you," said Jack. "All serene, fire away. That blessed doctor has been at you, I can see it in your face," he replied with a smile. "You are ill, it is no use trying to hide it. Because you have never been laid up before you fancy it will go on all right till the end of time, but it won't. You must rest. All your life you have been a hard worker, and now you are run down." "How the deuce can I rest with these mines on our hands? It is too good a thing to leave go of now we have got the grip. Wait until I have settled this business and then I am your man." "How long will it take?" asked Jack. "Perhaps one year, perhaps two, it may be longer." "And before then it will not matter to you whether you are rich or poor, money will be of no use to you." "What do you mean?" "What I say, money is of no use to a dead man." Barry started and his face went a shade paler. "Doctors are fools," he said. "Patients who disobey their orders can be placed in that category," said Jack. "But I cannot give this thing up yet, Jack, it's not fair either to you or me." "Then it will give you up, and as for myself I would sooner have to start fresh than see any harm befall you." Barry's face softened. Seldom in his tumultuous life had he heard a friend speak in this strain. "I have a suggestion to make," said Jack. "Float the claims into a company. We can get as much as we want out of the concern in cash and hold the bulk of the shares. A responsible manager can look after things and take all the responsibility off your shoulders." Barry laughed as he replied-- "That means allowing others to reap what we have sown." "To get in some portion of the crop, I acknowledge," replied Jack, "but the bulk of the harvest will be ours." "And supposing I agree, what shall we do?" "Go to England. You promised to take a trip with me when I returned, and I know you will keep your promise. Moreover, in the event of a certain interesting ceremony taking place you promised to be best man. You cannot back down, and I am going home as soon as I can fix things up here." Jack suddenly thought of the letter he had recently received with Winifred's message to Barry. He had it in his pocket-book, and taking it out handed it to Barry, saying-- "I am sure you will not refuse when you have read it."