"You were asking me," he said, "whether the old workings would pay, and I told you yes. But here is my mainstay: this great vein of ore. I have tested fair specimens of this, and found that not only is it very rich in lead, but the lead, in turn, is rich in silver." The Major turned from inspecting the dull bluish-looking stone against which Sturgess held up a lanthorn. "You amaze me," he said. "This is indeed a find. I had no idea that our hills contained anything so good. Yes; I know enough of metallurgy to see that what you say is correct. I congratulate you, Mr Reed. And to think that this mine should have been lying barren all these years for want of a little enterprise and money!" "There, you have seen enough for to-day, I think," said Clive, smiling; and they returned to the daylight, Sturgess leaving them at the mouth of the shaft. "Your foreman?" said the Major, as they walked to the office. "Yes; a very useful man. Not polished or refined." "Well, no; I--But there; I'm prejudiced." "Think so?" said Clive, with a grave smile. "He does not impress you favourably?" "To be frank, no, he does not. I had a great deal to do with men in the army, and as a rule I was pretty good at the study of physiognomy." "Indeed!" said Clive, smiling. "Yes, sir. I should say that man was sensual, of a violent temper, and not to be trusted." "It may be you are about right," said Clive, "but the man is a good worker, has special knowledge, and is very useful. He wants driving with the curb, and with a strong hand at the rein. Now, then, a glass of sherry and a biscuit. But you would like to wash your hands." "Yes, yes," said the Major, as he discussed his biscuit and sherry, "it is quite absurd for me, an old waif cast aside by the stream of busy life, to try and teach a keen business man like you. Of course, you know how to manage these people, and yes, yes, there was a time when mine was a smart regiment, Mr Reed, and--Ah! that's past. I am out of the world now. But that really is a very fine glass of sherry, Mr Reed. Old East India brown. One does not often taste such wine now-a-days." "I am glad you like it," said Clive, filling a wine-glass and pouring it into a tumbler, and then brimming it with cold water from a carafe. "It is some of my late father's wine. I am glad to see it appreciated." "It is remarkably fine, my dear sir," said the Major, making a grimace; "but you'll pardon me: really, my dear Mr Reed, it is sacrilege to pour water into wine like this." "You think so?" said Clive, smiling. "My walk underground has made me thirsty. I am no connoisseur of wine." The Major sat sipping from his glass, looking thoughtful and frowning, while Clive began to wish that he would go, for the afternoon was gliding by, and he felt that he had a dozen things to do. But the visitor did not budge, and readily accepted a second glass of sherry.