The Hogarth people have, no doubt, made you an offer since then ?" "Four thousand dollars, all rights, and they'll meet expenses while I put in the assessment work and do all that's necessary to get title from the Crown.

They were kind enough to say that it was rather a hazardous venture, but they wanted another workable reef to round up their mineral properties.

The reason seemed a little vague." Stirling smiled rather grimly.

"They want everything they can get their hands on in the shape of a mineral property, as long as it costs them 'most nothing.

What did you tell them ?" "That they'd have to go up six times, anyway, before I considered the thing, and then I'd want half payment in ordinary stock.