The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30

can get along SpienOluiy on Wnat you nave now. Besides, directly you settle down and start to paint, we shall be quite rich again."
 Kirk laughed grimlys There was time when really could paiHtsa bit. Not much, it's true, but enough Sto get along with We'll, Pm going to start in again IF earnest now, and if don'tdnake good, well theress always Hanks offef." cussed Hanks offer. befoT.s s then life been brought and clopdfess hAd Hanks offer a thing to asmilees S it had as stunned an uncomfortably practical aspect
 Hank, always Hitting from New, York into the unknown and back agains had called at the studio, one evening, after long ab- sence, looking sick and tired. lie was one of those lean, wiry men whom it is unusual to see in this condition, and Kirk was sym pathetic and inquisitive.
 "Tve been in Colombia" he said. "1 got back on a fruit steamer this morning. Do YOU know anything of Colombian"
 Kirk reflected. "Only that there's gen orally revolution there" he said. ;
 "There wasn't anything of that kind A this thoughtfuily at his pipe. The odor of his remarkable brand of tobacco had filled the studio. "I've had Hades of time, he said simply. -s..ssssss x
 Kirk looked at him curiously. "What took you there?" x ."Gold." F.
 "I didn't know there were gold mines in that part of the world,'' said Kirk. @
 "There are. The gold that filled the holds of Spanish galleons in the Sixteenth century came from Colombia: The place is simply stiff with old Spanish relics. E.. "But surely the mines must have been worked out ages ago."
 Only on the surface
 How do you mean, only on the surface! Explain. don't know thing about gold. except that getting it out of picture dealers is like getting blood out of a turnip."
 ."It's simple enough. The earth hoards its gold in two ways. There's auriferous rock and auriferous dirt. If the stuff is in the rock, you crush it. Sits in the dirt you wash il" 2
 "It sounds simple.'
 "It is. The difficult part is finding It.
 "And you have done that?"
 eI have. Or I'm practically certain l have. At any rate, know that have dis covered the ditches made by the Spanlardss three hundred years ago. Ii there was goid there now. Only it isn't on the surface any longer. They cleaned up as far as the surface is concerned, so l have to sink shafts and dig tunnels.
 II see. It isn't so simple as 1t used to be-"
 "It is, practically, if you have any knowl-
 SWeil, what's your trouble?" asked Kirk. "Why did you come back? Why aren't you out there grabbing it with both hands and getting yourself into shape to be walking gold mine to your friends? l don't like to see this idle spirit in you, Hank"
 Hank smoked long and thoughtfully. Kirk" he said suddenly.
 ''NVell:''
 Hank shook his head. "No, it's no good"
 What is no good? What do you nean?,,'
 "I came back said Hank, suddenly lucid, with a wild notion of getting you to conle in with me on this thing"
 What! Go to Colombia with you?" :
 Hank nodded. But, of course, it's not possible It's no job for married man."
 Why not? If this gold of yours, is just lying around in heaps it seems to me that 2 married man is exactly the man who ought to be around grabbing it. Or do you believe that old yarn about two being able to live as cheaply as one? Take it from me, it's not so. If there is gold waiting to be gathered up in handfuls, me for it. When do we start? Can bring Ruth and the l;id?" .;
 II wish we could start. If l could have had you with me these last months I'd re1er have quit. But guess it's out of the question. You've no idea what sort of an inferno it is, and won't let you come irt> it with your eyes shut. But if ever, ;A arc in real tight corner let me know. It might be worth your while then to take
 r.fcl