"You know my name.

Will you kindly introduce your friends ?" This Tom did at once, after which Mr.Dunlop presented his three companions.

One was his nephew, Dave Hill, the second, George Parkinson, Mr.Dunlop's secretary, and the third a man named John Ransome, an investor in Mr.Dunlop's mining enterprise.

The elder of the armed men who remained behind was Joe Timmins, both guide and chauffeur.

The young man who had gone with one of the cars was Timmins's son.
"You have a mining claim hereabouts, Mr.Dunlop ?" Tom inquired.
"Yes; but not exactly at this point," added the older man, with a smile as he noted Reade staring about him with a quizzical smile.
"The claim stands over there on that slope"-- - pointing to the westward.
"Has it been prospected, sir ?" asked Hazelton.
"Yes: it's a valuable property, all right.