"But we might talk it over, sir--we might talk it over. Are you willing to do so?"
"I have no objections to that."
Kensington then drew up a chair and sat down close by the desk at which Merry had been writing.
"If I were to make you an offer for your property, on being satisfied with it as something I want," he said, "would you consider it?"
"It"s not impossible. But you must remember that my partner is to be consulted in the matter."
"Of course, of course."
"He might not care to sell. In that case I can do nothing."
"You might use your influence."
Frank shook his head.
"I wouldn"t think of that, sir. I would leave the question entirely to Hodge, and he could do as he pleased."
"Do you fancy that there is a possibility that he might be induced to sell in case the offer seemed an advantageous one?"
"Yes, I think it possible."
"Good!" nodded Kensington. "That being the case, we can discuss the matter further. Do you mind showing me the report of the a.s.sayer?"
"Not at all. Here it is."
Merry took the paper from his pocket and handed it to Kensington, who glanced over the figures and statements, lifted his eyebrows slightly, puckered his lips, and whistled softly.
"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Merriwell, that this a.s.say was made from an average lot of quartz from your mine, or was it from specially chosen specimens?"
"Mr. Kensington, I had this a.s.say made for myself, and not for the public. I had it made in order that I might find out just how valuable the mine is. That being the case, you can understand that I would not be foolish enough to pick what appeared to be the richest ore. On the contrary, sir, I took it as it came."
Again Kensington whistled softly, his eyes once more surveying the figures.
"How far is this mine from the nearest railroad point?"
"Just about one hundred miles."
"And in a difficult country as to access?"
"Decidedly so," was Merry"s frank answer.
"It will cost a huge sum to open this mine and operate it."
"There is no question on that point."
"Still, this report shows it will be worth it, if the vein pans out to be one-half as promising as this a.s.say of your specimens."
Merry laughed.
"Mr. Kensington," he said, "it is my belief that we have not fully uncovered the vein. It is my conviction that it will prove twice as valuable as it now seems when we get into it in earnest."
For some moments Kensington continued to whistle softly to himself. It seemed to be a habit of his when thinking.
"Are your other mines valuable, Mr. Merriwell?"
"Yes, sir."
"As valuable as this one?"
"I believe they are."
"And you have them in operation?"
"I have one of them in operation."
"That is the Queen Mystery, I believe?"
"Then you have heard of it, sir?"
"There is not much going on in mining matters in Arizona that I have not heard of. It"s my business to keep posted. You have never thought of selling the Queen Mystery?"
"Mr. Kensington, the Mystery is opened and is in operation. I have not contemplated selling it, and I do not think I shall do so. If you wish to talk of this new mine, all right. I can listen. Nothing whatever may come of it, but I see no harm in hearing whatever you have to say."
"Now we"re getting at an understanding, Mr. Merriwell. Of course, I wouldn"t think of making you any sort of an offer for your mine unless thoroughly satisfied as to its value. I should insist on having it inspected by men of my own choice, who are experts. Their report I can rely on, and from that I would figure."
"That would be business-like," Merry nodded.
"And you would have no objections to that, of course?"
"Certainly not, sir. Still, you must not forget that I have a partner who might object. It will be necessary to consult him before anything of the sort is done."
"All right, all right. Where is he?"
"He is at the mine."
Kensington seemed somewhat disappointed.
"I was in hopes he might be in Prescott."
"He is not."
"Another point, Mr. Merriwell. Are you certain your t.i.tle to this property is clear?"
"Absolutely certain, sir."
"I am glad to hear that. Of course, I should look into that matter likewise. Unless the t.i.tle was clear, I wouldn"t care to become involved."