CHAPTER XIV 

THE RECKONING 

When the line reached the settlement Jim and his party returned to Vancouver. Shortly after their arrival Martin came to see them. 

"I've been in town some time, and seeing a notice in the _Colonist_ that you had finished the job, thought I'd like to tell you I was glad," he said. 

Carrie thanked him and by and by he asked: "Have you had a fresh offer from Baumstein for your copper claim?" 

Jim said they had not and Martin smiled. "I reckon the offer will arrive, and now he knows you have got your pay he'll put up his price." 

"If it does arrive, we won't reply," said Carrie, firmly. 

"I don't know if that's a good plan," Martin remarked. "Baumstein will offer about half as much as he's willing to give, but I'd take hold and negotiate until I thought he'd reached his limit. It will be under what the claim is worth. Then I'd go along and try the Combine." 

"Would they buy?" Jim asked. 

"Go and see. Although Baumstein's pretty smart, he doesn't know they're quietly investing in Northern copper; I do. There's another thing; if you have got specimens, send some for assay to a different man." 

Jim pondered. The analysis of the ore was not as good as he had expected and the miner who had examined the specimens at his camp agreed. For all that, assayers were generally honest and skillful. 

"What's the matter with the man I went to?" he asked. 
who will offer 1/2 as much ? did they think it was a good plan ? was Baumstein smart ? who returned to vancover ? who came to see them ? how soon ? who was glad ? why ? who gave thanks ? what was the offer for ? would carrie reply ? hoe did she say that ? will it be negotiations ? thii when ? will it be over what its worth ? what does Baumstein not know ? what sould he do with the specimens what did he think of the assayers ? and what else ? who pondered ?
Baumstein No Yes Jim and his party Martin Shortly Martin Jim  had finished the job Carrie copper claim No firmly Martin thinks it will Baumstein reaches his limit No Combine is investing in Northern copper some for assay to a different man were generally honest skillful Jim