"I suppose he has had vast experience of mining?"

"Oh, he knows his profession, and works hard. He'll find gold where
there is any," said Tess.

"You never told me how he came to choose Sialpore as prospecting ground."

Tess recognized the prevarication instantly. Almost the first thing Dick
had done after they arrived was to make a full statement of all the
circumstances in the commissioner's office. However, she was not her
husband. There was no harm in repetition.

"The maharajah's secretary wrote to a mining college in the States for
the name of some one qualified to explore the old workings in these hills.
They gave my husband's name among others, and he got in correspondence.
Finally, being free at the time, we came out here for the trip, and the
maharajah offered terms on the spot that we accepted. That is all."

Samson laughed.

"I'm afraid not all. A contract with the British Government would be kept.
I won't say a written agreement with Gungadhura is worthless, but--"

"Oh, he has to pay week by week in advance to cover expenses."

"Very wise. But how about if you find gold?"

"We get a percentage."