The spectator., 1921-01-25
By ROBERT J. C. STEAD
AufhoS of "The Gov Punchsr. Etc.

nltnSelI Walnly 10 tne oiuer man. | Don't take me up wrong" said AL | Ian. I'm in on this along with Dad. if he's in; an if he's out I'm out. But | l was just kind O curious about it." Its all right it's all right" as- | sured Riles. with great magnanimity. Inwardly he was cursing Gardiner for having left this task to him. He wns suspicious of a trap in the simplest question, and feared that any minute he might find himself floundering in a mesh of contradictions.
 Where is this coal mine. and who's got it?" said Harris.
 "I ain't saw It myself" admitted Rifles, "They're awful p'tic'lar about lettin' people see It." he continued. with sudden flash of inspiration. Its so valu'ble. v know"
 "'Fraid somebody'll bring 1t home | lan | Riles pretended to laugh heartily.
 But where is it?' insisted Harris. 'sIs there a railroad near, or how do | you get at it?"
 "It's up Tn the mountains, an that's all I can tell you; but It's all right, an there's n pile O money In 1t. guess better bring Gardiner down in the morning. an he'll explain all about it. Y see, he knows the fellow at owns it, an I don't. an he'll be able to tell you. That is, if you're goin' in on 1t. Gardiner won't say much unless he knows you're goin' In | on it."
 Well. he'll have to say a good deal before he knows said Harris. "I ain't huyin' pig in n poke. He's got f show me, and then if it's all right. why, it's all right
 "Oh it's all right" said Riles, al- though inwardly he felt little enthu- siaSm over the attitude of either 'fa- ther or son. He was annoyed that AL Ian should be present. On the whole. it would he better to leave the rest of the explaining to Gardiner.
 What dye think of it. Dad?" said Allan. when Riles was gone May be all right" said Harris. "Wouldn't be surprised but it is At the same time. I ain't goin' to put a cent in it till I'm dead sure. And any way. there's no use lettin Riles think l we're keen on it.'
 "That's what I think. You think Gardiner's all square in it?' 'I don't know. Likely he's getting fat commission from somewhere but that's fair enough. If he makes | the deal But he won't see any o' our money till I have the opinion of 1 the best lawyer in town. That's all we can say till we see 1t
 What dye say if we sell the old farm anyway, an then if this mine business don't look good. we'll plunk | it into farm land?'
 Might do worse" his father agreed "We1l have look round for a day or two, anyway"
 In the afterr pon Gardiner and Rifles drove into tov and met the Harrises | in the waij room of the hotel Gardiner's ting was friendly. but not overfam ar, as became man who had recently suffered some reflec- | ton on his character. He shook liar rls and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but dis creetly avoided family matters, hay | ing learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their do- nestle affairs. Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests. Having or dered a bottle and glasses on the table. he turned the key in the door.
 You can't be too careful" he ex- plained You know. the walls have ears. and if 1t gets out that this coal mine can he picked up at the price we have on 1t, 1t will be taken before night I understand your money is not here yet, Mir. Harris?"
 No. Not started. I guess. The fact is, haven't sold the farm"
 Well, l don't want to hurry you. but you've got to act quickly. or not at all. Of course, we don't figure on taking any chances. Our Idea is to turn the property over at once, at a good profit. That's the way you feel about it too, isn't itf"
 I'm not a coal miner"
 Exactly. Neither are the men who own most of the mines of this coun- try. There comes time. Mir. Harris when we realize that we don't have to get down with pick and shovel to make ourselves some money-in fact, the man with pick and shovel hasn't time to make any real money. l am glad you feel like do about it, for I have already taken the liberty of put ting the proposition up to New York syndicate"
 You mean if we don't come through, they will"
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