Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/269

 can get power also! Why, you can have electric light, and everything else you like, at the smallest cost. And if it be, as I suspect, that there is a streak of limestone in the hill, the place might be a positive mine of wealth as well! We have not lime within fifty miles, and if once we can quarry the stone here we can do anything. We can build a harbour on the south side, which would be the loveliest place to keep a yacht in that ever was known—quite big enough for anything in these parts—as safe as Portsmouth, and of fathomless depth.

"Easy, old man!" I cried, for the idea made me excited too.

"But I assure you Art, I am within the truth!"

"I know it, Dick—and now I want to come to business!"

"Eh! how do you mean?" he said, looking puzzled.

Then I told him of the school project, and that I was going to London after another day to arrange it. He was delighted, and quite approved.

"It is the wisest thing I ever heard of!" was his comment. "But how do you mean about business?" he asked.

"Dick, this has all to be done; and it needs some one to do it. I am not a scientist nor an engineer, and this project wants the aid of both, or of one man who is the two. Will you do it for me—and for Norah?"

He seemed staggered for a moment, but said heartily:

"That I will—but it will take some time!"

"We can do it within two years," I answered, "and