Part 23 (1/2)
”Gertrude wanted to make some visits this winter, which set me free.
I've never been much away from home, and it struck me as a good chance for seeing Canada; then Jack Cartwright--you may remember him--is in Toronto. It's twelve years since I've met him, though he has often urged me to come over; and there's another man I know in Winnipeg.”
”I wonder whether that was all?”
Wannop looked amused. He was stout and clumsy, but he had his jovial air.
”You seem to have been getting smarter since you came to Canada,” he said. ”Perhaps I'd better admit that I was anxious to see how you were getting on.”
”Didn't Leonard tell you?”
”Leonard was as guarded and diplomatic as usual. He informed us that there had been some trouble at the mine and he was afraid you hadn't experience enough to deal with the situation. Then he gave us the impression that you were inclined to be rash and might make a mess of things unless he came over and put you right.”
”Ah!” exclaimed Andrew; ”I expected something of the sort.”
They looked at each other with mutual comprehension.
”Can matters be straightened out?” Wannop asked.
”Not in the few days that Leonard intends to devote to it. It's most unlikely that the Rain Bluff will ever pay.”
”I'm sorry to hear it. A good deal of my money and Gertrude's has gone into the mine.”
”You needn't be alarmed. I don't think the shareholders will suffer.”
Andrew's tone was impressive, and Wannop looked at him sharply.
”That doesn't seem to agree with your last remark.”
”I've a plan for working a richer lode, but I can't tell you anything further, because the secret belongs to another man until the minerals have been recorded; and it wouldn't be fair to Leonard and the directors, who haven't been consulted about the project yet. When my plans are ready, they will be disclosed. Perhaps I'm straining your confidence.”
”It will stand some strain. But are you sure that Leonard will be fair to you?”
”That is another matter,” Andrew said quietly.
”Well, I'm glad you have told me something: it gives me a lead. It was obvious that you and Leonard were at variance. In fact, I've foreseen a split for some time, and if a side must be taken, I'd rather stand by you.”
”Thanks! But it may get you into trouble.”
Wannop lighted another cigar and then looked up with a chuckle.
”We're neither of us sentimentalists, but there's something to be said. You and I have always got on well, and when I married Gertrude you didn't lay such stress on the favor shown me in being allowed to enter the family as your estimable relatives did. Then we're the two whose abilities aren't held in much esteem, which is some reason why we should stick together. With all respect for the others, I sometimes think they're wrong.”
Andrew laughed.
”We'll come to business,” Wannop went on. ”While the Rain Bluff shares were well taken up by outside investors, a good many are held by the family; these count as a compact block, a strong voting power--though it's remarkable that Leonard holds less than any of the rest of us. So if there's to be a fight between you and him, it will begin among your relatives; their opinion is more important than that of the general shareholders.”
”Yes,” a.s.sented Andrew, ”Leonard would be powerful if backed by the solid family vote.”
”The point is that he may not get it. Anyhow, Gertrude and I will support you, and we hold a good deal of stock between us.”