human
It's from the assayer; I left word at the settlement for the message to be sent on, he explained.
gpt
You will excuse my opening it?
human
Of course, said Geraldine.
gpt
May it bring you good news!
human
But you seem satisfied,
gpt
I am. I asked the man to let me have his general opinion as soon as he could; he's to send a regular analysis later. He has been quick, but perhaps he has some rough preliminary test.
human
But he tells you they're unpromising!
gpt
I'm beginning to think Mr. Allinson is a bit of a genius, Frobisher observed.
human
No doubt he'll explain his mysterious proceedings.
gpt
I gave the man a three-word code, reversing the meaning, and his answer puts the quality of the ore, so to speak, in the comparative degree. It shows that we have struck the edge of the lode, and careful prospecting should give us better results.
human
It was a maxim of Napoleon's that one should use every means of misleading the enemy, and Mr. Allinson seems to know that telegrams are handled rather casually in these small places. A mineral claim doesn't belong to its discoverer until it's duly staked off and recorded; and if all the formalities are not complied with it can be jumped.
gpt
I'm very glad you got such good news,
human
Thank you. It was you who brought it to me; but that wasn't all you did. I came here dejected, and now I'm cheerful again.
gpt
But that isn't surprising, after the message.
human
It wasn't the message. I was bracing up before it came; you and your father made me feel that I needn't despair. In fact, I was getting ashamed of being downcast, after the confidence you seemed to have in me.
gpt
Ah! she said.
human
It must need a good deal of courage to lead a forlorn hope, and one could imagine that your undertaking looked like that. It must be much pleasanter to feel that you have some chance of winning. But what will you do next?
gpt
Go home, I think. I want to see how I stand there.
human
For long?
gpt
No; for a month or so. I shall be eager to get back. Andrew paused and asked with a hint of tension in his voice:
human
Will I be missed?
gpt
Of course! Geraldine looked up with friendly candor.
human
But will you be able to make the double journey and do all that's needful in a few weeks?
gpt
I'll try,