Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/52

32, and accordingly wished one end of the tunnel to terminate at or near the city of New York. The opposite end of the tunnel would thus, curiously enough, come within the Australian dominions.

It was while the doctor was considering this problem of a site for the tunnel that he had another conversation with Mr. Curtis, a conversation which ended in a fresh surprise for the latter gentleman.

"Well, doctor," said Mr. Curtis, bursting into our friend's study one afternoon, "how is your tunnel getting along?"

"Famously," replied Dr. Giles. "I've got the most important part finished."

"Indeed! and, pray, what may that be?"

"The securing of the capital," said the doctor, with a merry twinkle in his eye. "Not only has all the stock been sold, but the shares of the company are already seventeen per cent, above par. I could at this moment, if I wished, sell out all the shares I have received for my services, and be a rich man, although the whole scheme exists only on paper as yet."

"Then how is it you don't do it?" asked Mr. Curtis.

"Simply because I hardly think it would be