Mr. Sprudell removed his eyeglasses with great deliberation and pursed his lips: "In my opinion," he said weightily--he might have been an eminent geologist giving his opinion of the conglomerate of the Rand banket, or Agricola elucidating his theory of vein formation--"in my opinion the gold found in this deposit was derived from the disintegration of gold-bearing rocks and veins in the mountains above. Chemical and mechanical processes are constantly freeing the gold from the rocks with which it is associated and wind and water carry it to lower levels, where, as in this instance, it concentrates and forms what we call placers."
Mr. Sprudell spoke so slowly and chose his words with such care that the company received the impression that this theory of placer deposit was his own and in spite of their personal prejudice their admiration grew.
"As undoubtedly you know," continued Mr. Sprudell, tapping his glasses judicially upon the edge of the sluice-box, "the richest gold in all alluvial deposits--"
"What is an alluvial deposit?" inquired Abe Cone, eagerly.
Mr. Sprudell looked hard at Abram but did not answer, one reason being that he wished to rebuke the interruption, and another that he did not know. He reiterated: "The richest gold in all alluvial deposits is found upon bed-rock. This placer, gentlemen, is no exception and while it is pay-dirt from the grass roots and the intermediate sand and gravel abundantly rich to justify their exploitation by Capital, it is upon bed-rock that will be uncovered a fortune to dazzle the mind of man!
"Like myself, you are practical men--you want facts and figures, and when you invest your money you want to be more than reasonably sure of its return. Gentlemen, I have in the hands of a printer a prospectus giving the values of the ground per cubic yard, and from this data I have conservatively, very conservatively, calculated the profits which we might reasonably anticipate. You will be startled, amazed, bewildered by the magnitude of the returns upon the investment which I am giving you the opportunity to make.
"I shall say no more at present, gentlemen, but when my prospectus is off the press I shall place it in your hands--"
"Gemman to see you, suh."
"I'm engaged."
"Said it was important." The bell boy lingered.
Sprudell frowned.
"Did he give no name?"
"Yes, suh; he said to tell you Burt--Bruce Burt."
Sprudell grew a curious, chalky white and stood quite still. He felt his color going and turned quickly lest it be observed.
Apologetically, to his guests: "One moment, if you please."
He remembered that Bruce Burt had warned him that he would come back and haunt him--he wished the corridor was one mile long.