“My ideas do not extend quite that far,” was Martin’s answer.  “Too many cooks, you are aware, sometimes spoil the broth.  To come to the point at once, let me explain the purpose of my present journey to the East.”

“Well; I am all attention.”

“My fur-trade business, as I wrote you a year ago, turned out disastrously.”

“Yes.”

“After that, I opened a small store in one of the frontier towns, and I did very well, all things considered.  But the gain was too slow to suit my ideas of things; so, meeting with a fair chance, I sold out, and bought a lead-mine, which I have been working ever since to good profit.  Recently, I struck upon one of the richest veins ever discovered.  If properly worked, it will yield a rapid fortune.  But I have not sufficient capital to avail myself of the advantages offered, and have come on here to lay the matter before you, and to offer you a share in the business.”

Jasper shook his head, saying—­

“I have more business on my hands now, Martin, than I can possibly attend to.”

“You don’t know what you are declining, Mr. Jasper,” urged Martin warmly.  “You havn’t yet looked at the statements which I am prepared to lay before you.”

“I do know one thing,” was the feeling answer, “and that is, that I am declining trouble and cost.  About that part of the business, there can be little question.”

“Then,” said Martin, his manner changing, “I am to understand that you do not wish to join me in this matter?”

“Yes.  I would like you to understand that distinctly.”

“Very well.  I am sorry you refuse so advantageous an investment of money; for right sure am I that no other investment you can make will turn out as this would have done.  But, as you have declined, I will not offer a share in my good fortune to any one else; but prosecute the work to my own advantage.”

“I thought you hadn’t the capital to do that,” said Jasper, speaking with ill-repressed eagerness.

“Nor have I,” coolly answered Martin.  “The proposition I was about to make was this—­an advance of twenty thousand dollars capital on your part, to constitute you an equal partner in the mine.  But this you decline.”

“Certainly! certainly!  I would not have entertained it for a moment.”

“Exactly.  So I have already inferred.  I will, therefore, as just said, retain this advantage in my own hands.  But, Mr. Jasper, I shall need some help.”

The visitor fixed his eyes keenly on the merchant as he said this.  There was a momentary pause.  Then he resumed.

“I shall only want about ten thousand dollars, though; and this you must obtain for me.”

“Martin!  Do you think I am made of money?” exclaimed Jasper, starting to his feet, and facing his companion, in the attitude and with the expression of a man who, finding himself in the presence of an enemy, assumes the defensive.