The jury, he said,
would pounce on that ten shillings as the Colonel's true estimate of his
coal, and he would figure in the case as a dog in the manger who grudged
Bartley the profits of a risky investment he had merely sneered at and
not opposed, until it turned out well; and also disregarded the interests
of the little community to whom the mine was a boon. "No," said Hope;
"tell your lawyer that I am Bartley's servant, but love equity. I have
proposed to Bartley to follow a wonderful seam of coal under Colonel
Clifford's park. We have no business there. So if the belligerents will
hear reason I will make Bartley pay a royalty on every ton that comes to
the surface from any part of the mine; and that will be L1200 a year to
the Cliffords. Take this to the lawyer and tell him to unfix that hero's
bayonet, or he will charge at the double and be the death of his own
money--and yours."
Walter threw up his hands with amazement and admiration. "What a
head!" said he.
"Fiddledee!" said Mary; "what a heart!"
"In a word, a phoenix," said Hope, dryly.
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