"Of course you don't. So I'll explain. You are the best friend I ever had, and I can trust you. Besides, if I ever did anything I should want your help. You are a business man, I'm a dreamer. You are good at accounts, I'm a fool at them." William's eyes opened wider and wider, but he did not interrupt. "Now, there's just the possibility of a fortune in Hillside," Ralph went on. "Not on the surface, mind you. The crops raised there will never be a fortune for anybody; but my father believed there was a rich tin lode running through it." "Why didn't he test it?" "He had no opportunity." "Why not? The farm was his as long as the 'lives' remained alive." "But all the mineral rights were reserved by the ground landlord. So that if my father had discovered a gold mine he would have got nothing out of it." "So he kept silent?" "Naturally; for if a mine was started, not only would he get no good out of it, but his farm would be ruined." William remained silent and thoughtful. "Now, if I could get the freehold," Ralph went on, "I should be free from every interference. I could sink a shaft for a few fathoms and test the thing. If it proved to be worthless, very little harm would be done. I should still have the farm to work or to let. Do you see my point?" "I do, but----" "I know what you would say. I have not the money," Ralph interrupted. "That is quite true. But I've more than I thought I had. And if the Brick, Tile, and Clay Company will take my plant at a fair valuation, I shall have more. Now I want to ask you, as a business man, if you think I could get a mortgage for the rest?" "Possibly you might," William said slowly, "but there are a good many objections to such a course." "Well, what are they?" "We'll take one thing at a time," William answered meditatively. "To begin with: I don't believe Sir John Hamblyn would sell the place to you under any circumstances if he knew." "Why not?" "Because he has wronged you, and so he hates you. Nothing would please him better than for you to leave the country." "Well?" "If you begin to look round for a mortgage, or for securities----" "Yes, I see." "If you are to get the place, your name must not be given at the outset; you must buy through an agent or solicitor. You must be ready with the money on the nail." Ralph looked thoughtful for several moments. "I'm afraid it's of no use hoping," he said at length; "though when Robert Telfer handed me over his cheque this evening the world did look bright for a moment." "But if you bought the farm you might lose everything," William suggested; "and it would be a pity to throw away your first earnings." "Why so? There's no good in hoarding money. I want to be doing something. Besides, I might find work for half the parish." "Then you have faith in the tin lode of which your father spoke?"