It was a matter as to which he had, in the way of business, received intelligence of his own from the colony, and he was aware that he had been singularly lucky as to the circumstances and time of the sale.

But there had been nothing 'smart' about it.

Those in the colony who understood the matter thought at the time that he was making a sacrifice of his own interests by the terms proposed.

He had thought so himself, but had been willing to make it in order that he might rid himself of further trouble.

He had believed that the machinery and plant attached to the mine had been nearly worth the money, and he had been quite certain that Crinkett himself, when making the bargain, had considered himself to be in luck's way.