"No; I can't say that I do." "The wall of blank rock, found at the end of a vein of gold, Don Luis, often, if not usually, means that the vein has run out, and that it is useless to dig further." "I did not know that," murmured the Mexican, in a tone of merely polite astonishment.

"Then you believe that _El Sombrero_ will not turn out much more profitable ore ?" "I didn't say that," Tom continued.

"But I will admit that finding the wall of blank rock ahead made me a bit nervous.

Some great mines have been started, Don Luis, as you must be aware.

For a few weeks they have panned out ore of the highest value.