Guy Boothby

“ They were also invariably in good spirits, and their greeting to Daniel when they descended from the coach was little less than cyclonic. Then and there they were taken out and introduced to the mine, and next morning they commenced work in real earnest.
Now, if there was one man on the field who took a greater interest in their success than another, it was the Jew, Levi Cohen. He knew very well that after the first load was taken out of the drive no more gold would be found, and he spent the greater part of his time wondering what form the Irishman's vengeance would take. ”

“ Levi inquired the cause and was informed that Barney, the youngest member of the association, was seriously ill. The next day he was worse, the day following his life was despaired of, the next day he was dead.
On the night of his decease Cohen met Dan on his way back from the undertaker's. He commented on the sad news and inquired after the mine.
"We've not touched it these three days past," said Dan, wiping his eyes with an enormous red cotton pocket-handkerchief. "We haven't the heart to lift a pick. Poor little Barney! Poor little Barney! ”

“ They were as curious a trio as any man ever set eyes on, and as green as spring grass. They all possessed the same red hair, the same enormous mouths, hands like hams, and the same twinkling blue eyes. ”

“ O'Rourke," said the Jew, with almost trembling earnestness. "I can't decide in such a hurry. It's a large price to pay."
"For that beautiful mine that ye said yersilf was worth thousands?" cried Dan. "Phwy, it's dirt chape at the money. Say no more—I'll go elsewhere. Bedad I will, if I'm trated like that when I'm doing a kindness to an old friend."
The other reflected for a moment. If the takings he had seen every week could be in any way relied upon, and Daniel was too simple to have faked them, he would get his money back in less than three months, and the rest would be all profit. ”

“ Nowadays, Levi Cohen is on a field in Queensland, working with redoubled energy to make up the amount of which he was so cruelly mulcted at Warramindah. If a man at any time wants to hurt his feelings and to reduce him almost to tears, he has only to mention the name of O'Rourke, and to ask him if he remembers the "Great Tipperary" swindle. ”

“ He unlocked a box that stood in the corner and pulled out a canvas bag, the contents of which he tipped on to the bed. Nuggets of all shapes and sizes rolled out, with dust enough to make a small handful. The Jew looked, and as he looked his eyes bulged nearly out of his head. There was an expression of almost consternation on his face. One question dominated all others. Could he have been fool enough to part with a mine that turned out gold in t his abundant fashion for the small sum of six hundred pounds? ”

“ Phwat is it they want wid me now, me son?"
"That you shall give your promise in writing not to divulge the price you have paid for it," said Levi. "I felt I might give the promise on your account before handing over my cheque for the purchase-money. I suppose it was all right?"
"An' so it was. Ye need not fear that I'll bethray a mining secret, me jewel." ”

“ He begged the latter to tell him in confidence how much gold Mr. O'Rourke had sold them from the "Great Tipperary" every week.
"Not an ounce, as far as I can remember, Mr. Cohen," said the manager, with a twinkle in his eye. Then he added politely, "I am told you have purchased the mine. I hope you did not give a very large sum for it."
"Two thousand pounds," groaned the unfortunate Jew.
"And, knowing it to be worthless, I believe you originally sold it to my client, Mr. O'Rourke, for six hundred. Well, all I can say is, Mr. Cohen, that I think you have only received your deserts. ”

“ Ah! Now I come to think of it, we sold Mr. O'Rourke three hundred pounds' worth of nuggets and dust soon after he bought the mine. It was evidently that you saw. You think you must be going? Well, good morning."
But the Jew did not answer; he was too busily occupied thinking about other things. His reception on the field was not cordial. He had oppressed many, and the many were not sorry to have a chance of paying him back.
That night he left for Sydney by the coach. But he had not reached the bottom of the mystery yet. ”

“ Then you can strike for specimens yourself."
He went off on his search, and when he returned he brought tho tool and also a bucket with him.
"You take these and I'll carry the candle," he said. "That's right; now come along to the end of the drive."
They groped their way to where the previous owners had ceased work, and then Levi bade his companion drive in his pick. The other did as he was commanded and brought away a lot of loose earth; he gave a second stroke with a like result.
"Bedad, it's easy working!" said the astonished Irishman, who had expected hours of labour. ”