CHAPTER XXII.FELIX COTTLE.
Oliver looked the stranger over well before replying. Perhaps this chap might be a tool of Colonel Mendix, in which case the less he had to do with the fellow the better.
“And you worked for Colonel Men—Guerotaz two years?” he asked slowly.
“Yes.”
“At what mine?”
The man closed one eye and winked knowingly.
“At the very mine you are looking for,” he replied.
“The Aurora?”
“That’s it, partner.”
“Then you know its exact location?”
“Of course.”
“What is the mine called?”
The man hesitated and rubbed his chin.
“I’ll tell you what it is, stranger,” he replied slowly; “since I came from the mines I’ve had mighty tough luck in ’Frisco, and I’m rather hard up. Make it worth a little to me, and I’ll give you all the information you wish.”
“You mean you wish pay for telling what you know of the place?”
“Well, not that exactly, only a little something to help me along. I’ve been out of a job for over two months.”
Oliver thought for a moment.
“Suppose you come along with me,” he said. “I have a friend staying at a hotel close by. He must hear what you have to say as well as I. I will pay you for your trouble.”
“This is a square deal?”
“Yes. If you have any real information I will pay whatever it is worth.”
“All right, I’ll go.”
Oliver at once led the way to the hotel at which they had left their traps. He found Mr. Whyland in the reading-room, looking over a copy of theCall.
He quickly acquainted the gentleman with what had taken place. Mr. Whyland was deeply interested.
“I guess you are right about the two colonels being the same person,” he said. “Let us interview this stranger at once. I am willing to pay him if he really knows anything of value.”
Accordingly, Felix Cottle was at once brought in. He wore a rough suit and big boots, and looked quite out of place in the well-furnished apartment.
“I am more at home in the mountains than here,” he remarked, as he took a chair beside them. “I was brought up on the streets of Little Rock when a boy; but I would rather travel a lonely trail any day than walk the pavements of a city.”
“You know the mining district well, I suppose?” said Mr. Whyland.
“There ain’t much of it that I don’t know,” replied Cottle. “Before I started to work for Guerotaz I spent twelve years and ten thousand dollars prospecting, here, there, and everywhere.”
“Did you have any luck?” asked Oliver.
He was interested in the man, and besides wanted a chance to study the stranger.
“I had some luck the first years,—located the Alice and sold her for fifteen thousand dollars,—but towards the last I lost every dollar I had, and then I went to work for the colonel.”
“And you know all about his affairs?” asked Mr. Whyland.
The man ran his hand through his matted hair.
“I don’t know you, and I don’t want to get into any trouble,” he said. “I told the young man I knew some things he wanted to know.”
“Well, you will get into no trouble with us, I can assure you,” replied Mr. Whyland. “If you know the location of the Aurora mine and will tell us, I will pay you well.”
“I can take you straight to the Aurora inside of a week,” replied Cottle in a low voice.
“Is it a valuable mine?”
“It was some time ago.”
“Then that is the mine you worked in?” said Oliver.
The man bit his lip.
“I didn’t say so,” he said.
“But you meant it,” put in Mr. Whyland. “Are not the Cortez and the Aurora one and the same mine?”
Felix Cottle started.
“You want to know everything without paying a cent!” he cried. “I guess I had better get out.”
“No, don’t go,” exclaimed Mr. Whyland, catching him by the arm. “I will pay you well. We want to get to the Aurora mine. You say you know the road—”
“Yes; I’ll take you there as straight as straight can be. There ain’t a better guide in the town of ’Frisco, if I do say it myself.”
“I suppose we’ll need a guide—” began Oliver.
“If you don’t think so, just start out without one,” laughed Felix Cottle in his peculiar voice. “I’ll bet you couldn’t find the mine even if you had full directions.”
“Why?”
“Because of its peculiar situation. Many a man has been fooled on it.”
“And you say you can take us there in a week?” asked Mr. Whyland.
“I can, on horseback or muleback.”
“And prove to us beyond a doubt that it is really the Aurora?”
“Yes; and that it is run by Colonel Men—”
Cottle stopped short. Oliver took him up.
“Colonel Mendix.” He finished.
“Yes; if you must know. But, gents, I expect you to do the square thing to a fellow that is down on his luck.”
“We will do the square thing,” said Mr. Whyland. “Take us to the Aurora mine and I will pay all expenses and give you one hundred dollars for your trouble.”
“Is that square?” asked Cottle, leaning forward.
“It is. If you want any references as to my reliability—”
“Don’t want them, partner; the look on your face is enough. I’ll take you up. A week from the day you leave ’Frisco you shall stand in the Aurora mine. I may be a little queer, but you can depend on Felix Cottle every time.”
Oliver had to like the man in spite of his odd manner. Mr. Whyland was also impressed favorably.
After this a long conversation ensued. Cottle said that the Cortez mine was nothing but a “fake” mine, leading underground to the real mine of value, which was the Aurora. For several years Colonel Mendix had reported the latter mine abandoned, which was not the case.
“And the Aurora is really valuable?” asked Oliver.
He spoke calmly enough, but oh, what excitement was in his breast! How much was at stake for his father and himself!
“I think it is,” said Cottle. “Of course the Cortez is worth something, but the best paying rock and dirt come from the Aurora.”
It was decided to leave San Francisco that very evening. They were to go direct to Sacramento City, and from there fit themselves out for a five days’ journey over and around the mountains.
When Gus came in, he was surprised to see the stranger. He was at once introduced, and was soon on good terms with the newly hired guide.
Cottle remained with them for the balance of the afternoon. When questioned as to Colonel Mendix, he said he thought the colonel would soon be on the way to the mines.
“And we will be directly behind,” he added. “Perhaps we may even catch up to him.”
“I do not wish to do that,” said Oliver. “It is time enough to meet him when we are at the mine.”
The party of three spent the night at the hotel. Oliver had a long talk with Mr. Whyland, promising to share whatever expense was incurred. The gentleman agreed to do this, but said the hundred dollars that had been promised to Cottle must come from his own purse.