"He's the right man," he said, rubbing his hands. "He's as true as steel!" Putting on his hat, he walked down to the office, he knew not why, but taking a deeper interest in the affair each moment, and passing Tregenna on the opposite side of the way. "Send Mr Geoffrey Trethick a cheque-book, Chynoweth," he said, as he entered his office, and spoiled a most interesting game of whist. Mr Chynoweth took down his slate, and made an entry. "Honour his cheques to the amount of a hundred and fifty." This entry was also made upon the slate, and Mr Penwynn walked back to his lunch. Mr Chynoweth became thoughtful. He had played out a hand at whist in his desk that morning; and he had written an offer of marriage to Miss Pavey, who had won five and sixpence of him the previous night at whist; but this was a very important matter, and thinking that he could remain a bachelor a little longer, he took out his letter, opened, read it, sighed, and, striking a match, carefully burned it on the hearth. "Tregenna here--Trethick to draw cheques--what's that mean?" said Mr Chynoweth, thoughtfully. "What does the governor mean by that? I hope he is not going in for mining. If he is--" He paused for a few moments. "I wouldn't bet a crown he is not going to try Wheal Carnac." CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. HOW TREGENNA HOOKED HIS FISH. There was, of course, a reason for the banker's actions. John Tregenna had at once taken advantage of the proposal that he should still be on friendly terms with the Penwynns, and, calling frequently and dining there, set himself, in a pleasant, frank manner, to remove any unpleasant feeling that might exist in Rhoda's mind. To her he was gentlemanly and courteous, without formality, showing in every way that it was his desire that the past should be forgotten. With Mr Penwynn he resumed his old business relations, and, as the banker's confidential solicitor, he finished and carried through a tiresome law case, which ridded Mr Penwynn of a good deal of anxiety, and put five hundred pounds in his pocket. "By the way," he said, on the morning when he had brought in the news of the satisfactory settlement, and it had been discussed, "they want to sell Wheal Carnac." "So Chynoweth told me some little time back," said Mr Penwynn. "I wish they may get a customer." "Well, so do I, if it comes to that," said Tregenna, "because I am to have a hundred if I effect a sale." "And where will you get customers? Why, they've wasted no end in putting it up for auction in London, advertisements and one way and the other." "Yes, and that makes them willing now to part with the place for a mere song." "Bah!" said Mr Penwynn. "The place is worthless. The money wasted there is enormous." "Yes, they were pretty extravagant; but do you know, Penwynn, I've got hold of a man who used to work there." "Yes?" "A man of the name of Lannoe." "Lannoe, Lannoe? Why, that was the man who summoned a miner for half killing him."