Sir John was on his feet in a moment. "A very rich vein?" he questioned eagerly. "Extraordinarily rich," was the indifferent reply. "Good-afternoon." "Wait a moment--wait a moment!" Sir John cried excitedly. "Thank you, but I have no further remarks to make." And Ralph passed out to the landing. Sir John rushed past him and planted himself at the head of the stairs. "You are not fooling me?" he questioned eagerly. "Say honestly, are you speaking the truth?" "Do you wish to insult me?" Ralph asked scornfully. "Am I in the habit of lying? Please let me pass." "No, no! Please forgive me. But if what you say is true, it means so much to me. You see, I am practically in exile here." "So I understand. And you are likely to remain in exile, by all accounts." "But if there is a rich vein of mineral that I can tap. Why, don't you see, it will release me at once?" "But, as it happens, you cannot tap it, for you don't know where it is. I am the only individual who knows anything about it." "Exactly, exactly! Don't go just yet. I want to hear more about it." "I fear I have wasted too much of your time already," Ralph said ironically. "You asked me just now to take myself out of your sight." "I know I did. I know I did. But I was very much upset. Besides, this lode is a horse of quite another colour. Now come back into my room and tell me all about it." "There is really not very much to tell," Ralph answered, in a tone of indifference. "How I discovered its existence is a mere detail. You may be aware, perhaps, that I occupy most of my time in making experiments?" "Yes, yes. I know you are wonderfully clever in your own particular line. But tell me, whereabouts is it?" "You flatter me too much," Ralph said, with a laugh. "To tell you the truth, it was largely by accident that I discovered the lode I am speaking of. Unfortunately, it is outside the Great St. Goram boundary, so that it is of no use to our shareholders." The squire laughed and rubbed his hands. "But it will be of use to me," he said. "Really, this is a remarkable bit of luck. You are quite sure that it is a very valuable discovery?" "As sure as one can be of anything in this world. The Hillside lode is rich, but this----" "No, no," Sir John interrupted eagerly. "You don't mean to say that it is richer than your mine?" "I shall be greatly surprised if--if----" Then he paused suddenly. "Go on, go on," cried Sir John excitedly. "This bit of news is like new life to me. Think of it. I shall be able to shake off those Jewish sharks and hold up my head once more." "I don't think it is at all necessary that you should hold your head any higher," Ralph replied deliberately and meaningly. "You think far too much of yourself already. Now I will say good-afternoon for the second time." "You mean that you will tell me nothing more?" "Why should I? If your justice had been equal to your greed, I might have been disposed to help you; but I feel no such disposition at present."