Much capital has been put into such mines, and for a time men have thought they owned a new Golconda.

Then--suddenly--the blank wall, and no more gold has ever come out of that mine.

In other words, it was but a pocket of rich gold that had been struck, and nothing more.

Hundreds of men have ruined themselves by investing in such mines." "I see," murmured Don Luis, thoughtfully.
"You did not know this before ?" Tom asked, in some amazement.
"No, Senor Tomaso.

I have been a good business man, I suppose, for I have prospered; and much of my money has been made in mining.
Yet I have never had the assurance to consider myself a practical mining man.