Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/308

 your English engineers estimate it is worth. With this money I can then clear my other estates of all encumbrances, and receive from them an income sufficient for my needs."

"Company-forming," said Stranleigh, after a moment's pause, "is a business I have had very little to do with. The reputation of a confirmed company-former in this country is considered somewhat shady. I must admit that your proposition seems very attractive, but before anything could be done towards submitting it to the public, honest and competent mining engineers must be sent there to investigate."

"That is exactly what I suggested," sweetly murmured the lady.

"Precisely. Well, mining engineers are a most estimable body of men; nevertheless, it has been known that occasionally their reports were not justified by subsequent working. A great deal of money has been lost in this country in mining operations. I have never willingly allowed my name to appear upon a company's prospectus, yet in this case I would make an exception to my rule, provided the reports of those sent out to Transylvania warranted the forming of a company. There's only one engineer in whose knowledge