There had, it appeared, been lately opened between the Tamar and the Tavy a new mine, which had become exceedingly prosperous--outrageously prosperous, as shareholders and directors of neighbouring mines taught themselves to believe.

Some question had arisen as to the limits to which the happy possessors of this new tin El Dorado were entitled to go; squabbles, of course, had been the result, and miners and masters had fought and bled, each side in defence of its own rights.

As a portion of these mines were on Crown property it became necessary that the matter should be looked to, and as the local inspector was accused of having been bribed and bought, and of being, in fact, an absolute official Judas, it became necessary to send some one to inspect the inspector.

Hence had come Alaric's mission.

The name of the mine in question was Wheal Mary Jane, and Alaric had read the denomination half a score of times before he learnt that there was no real female in the case.
The Sunday before he went was of course passed at Hampton, and there he received the full glory of his special appointment.