About a week after Sedgwick’s departure they were seated in their private office one morning congratulating themselves, when the former owner of ‘The Wedge of Gold’ was announced.

“We cannot afford to snub the origin of our fortune,” said Jenvie; “show him in.”  This man’s name was Emanuel.  He was a Portugese.  On this morning he presented a seedy and dissipated appearance, as though he had been enjoying his fortune too rapidly.

Once ushered in, he did not waste any time, but explained that he had very little money left, and had called to see, in case the gentlemen did not intend to develop ‘The Wedge of Gold,’ on what terms they would transfer back to him the mine, or any interest they might possess, and give him a chance to go over to Hamburg and try to work the capitalists of that city to buy a mine down among their second cousins in Boerland.

“How much could you afford to give for the property?” asked Hamlin.

“I sell him for L2,000.  I would, for one speculation, buy him back if you could sell, and would give L1,000.”

“But you always said it was a good mine,” said Jenvie.

“Of course,” he answered, “an excellent mine, but on ze best of ze mines there vos always one selling and then one buying price.”

“If we were to sell to you, would you work the property?” asked Jenvie.

“Most certainly,” he replied; “I would work it as I did before—­on ze paper.”

“We have sold the control,” said Hamlin, “and have only left some shares of stock.”

“I understand,” said the man; “Mr. Browning has the control and is unloading the stock cheap.  He three days ago tendered me some stock for one shilling per share.  I said, ’No, but give me one bond at three pennies per share for four months, and I will consider ze matter, and try to help you close out some unproductive property.’  He would not comply, but he thought it over very much, and asked me to call again.  One broker, Mr. Williams, offered to sell me plenty for four pennies, but would not make one bond.”

“We do not care to bond ours,” said Jenvie, “but would sell for four pennies.”

“I will not give it,” said Emanuel, rising to go.  “I would give you three pennies, but no more,” and he started for the door.

The three consulted in private for a moment, and then Jenvie called to Emanuel, who was half out of the door, that he might have the stock at three pennies for cash, but begged him not to mention that he had purchased it.  Emanuel paid the money and took the stock, and then said:  “You ask me not to mention this business.  Are you crazy?  Suppose Mr. Browning by and by bonds me ten thousand shares less than half he has got, with this in my pocket who will then have ze control?  I want you to promise to say nothing about this sale for six months.  In the meantime I propose to become just so intimate with Mr. Browning as possible.”

Then he winked and walked out, and the conspirators looked in each other’s faces and smiled.