He was a man of calm judgment, who never dreamed of pressing his claims; and when, suddenly, the perpetual concession of the San Tome mine was offered to him in full settlement, his alarm became extreme.

He was versed in the ways of Governments.

Indeed, the intention of this affair, though no doubt deeply meditated in the closet, lay open on the surface of the document presented urgently for his signature.

The third and most important clause stipulated that the concession-holder should pay at once to the Government five years' royalties on the estimated output of the mine.
Mr.Gould, senior, defended himself from this fatal favour with many arguments and entreaties, but without success.

He knew nothing of mining; he had no means to put his concession on the European market; the mine as a working concern did not exist.