In spite of his manhood, Geoffrey felt a chill run through him, for seen in that momentary light the aspect of the figure was so weird and strange. "It's only a man!" exclaimed Pengelly, rapidly striking a second match, and holding it to the candle in the lantern. "Hey, Master Prawle! what are you doing here?" As he spoke he threw the light full upon the old smuggler's rugged features, Prawle growling the while as he began to fill a blackened pipe. "What am I doing here, Amos Pengelly? Why, filling my pipe." "And playing ghost to frighten honest men, Prawle, eh? I say, old fellow," cried Geoffrey, "we've got you on the right spot, so you may as well speak out all you know." "All I know?" said Prawle. "I don't know nothing, only that I come for a walk, and stepped in here to light my pipe." "Light your pipe, eh?" cried Geoffrey, laughing. "Yes," said Prawle, spitefully, "and found you courting." "Found me?" exclaimed Geoffrey. "Why, I've been with Amos Pengelly these two hours. Eh, Amos?" "Ah, well, if it warn't you it were somebody else. What do you want here?" growled the old fellow. "Oh! we've come in to light our pipes," said Geoffrey, laughing. Prawle growled, and, after a furtive look round, turned to go. "Warn't you two here 'bout two hour ago?" he said, sharply. "No; neither of us," replied Geoffrey. "But come, Prawle, let us two be a little more friendly. Why can't you speak out? If you will be frank and honest with me, I'll make it worth your while." "I don't want you to make it worth no whiles of mine," growled Prawle. "I can get my living, I dessay." "Of course you can, man; but other people have got to get theirs. Sit down now, and let's have a talk. Let's hear all you know about the mine." "What mine? This mine? Wheal Carnac?" said Prawle, quickly. "Nothing; nothing at all. Only everybody's ruined who takes it. Why?" "Only that I'm going to work it," said Geoffrey, "and it might be worth your while to tell me all you know." "Work it? You going to work it?" cried Prawle, eagerly. "You?" "Yes: I," said Geoffrey. "Now then, what do you say? Will you help me?" The old man stood scowling and blinking at them in the dim light shed by the lantern, and as his eyes rested upon Geoffrey they seemed less fierce in their gaze; but his face grew very rugged again, as he exclaimed,-- "I can't help you. I know nothing about the place. What are you going to do? When are you going to begin?" "My dear Mr Prawle," said Geoffrey, "I invited you to cooperate with me, and you declined. Now will you allow me to show you the door. Pengelly, let me hold the lantern for Mr Prawle to see his way. Pray take care, Mr Prawle, and don't make a mistake about the shaft. It is not fenced in. Your life is valuable, you know. Good-night."