"And, as the world goes, I think we have a little kind of pleasant feeling one for the other." "Humph! I suppose so," said Jessop, watching the other narrowly with the keen eye of a man who deals in hard cash, and knows the value of a sixteenth per cent, in a large transaction. "Well, what's up?" "I was thinking, my dear fellow," said the young lawyer, in a low voice, "how much pleasanter the world would be for you and me if we were rich. But no, no, no. You would not care to fight against your father and brother." "Perhaps before long there will only be my brother to fight against," said Jessop meaningly. The lawyer looked at him keenly. "You should not say that without a good reason, Jessop." "No, I should not." "Well, I don't ask for your confidence, so let it slide. It was tempting; but there is your brother." "Curse my brother!" cried Jessop savagely. "Is he always to stand in my light?" "That rests with you." "Look here, what do you mean?" "Do you wish me to state what I mean?" "Yes," said Jessop excitedly. "Then I meant this. Your father is very rich, and knows how to protect his interests." "Trust him for that." "Your brother is well provided for, and can make his way." "Oh, hang him, yes. Fortune's favourite, and no mistake." "Then what would you say if--But one moment. You tell me, as man to man, to whom the business would be vital, that the `White Virgin' mine is really a big thing?" "I tell you, as man to man, that it will be a tremendously big thing." "Good!" said the lawyer slowly, and in a low voice. "Then what would you say if I put you in the way of making a few hundred thousand pounds?" "And yourself too?" "Of course." "Then never mind what I should say. Can you do it?" "Yes. You and I are about the only two men who could work that affair rightly; and as the whole business is to others a speculation, if they lose--well, they have gambled, and must take their chance." "Of course. But--speak out." "No, not out, Jessop; we must not so much as whisper. I have that affair under my thumb, and there is a fortune in it for us--the stockbroker and the lawyer. Shall we make a contract of it, hand in hand?" "Tell me one thing first--it sounds impossible. What would you do?" "Simply this," said Wrigley, with a smile. "I tell you because you will not go back, neither could I. There's my hand on it." Jessop eagerly grasped the extended hand. "It means being loss to thousands--fortune to two." "Us two?" said Jessop hoarsely. "Exactly! It is in a nutshell, my boy. All is fair in love, in war, and money-making, eh? Here is my plan." CHAPTER THREE. ANOTHER.