Part 44 (1/2)

”I will engage that not a penny shall be unprofitably spent,” said Andrew. ”If the thing prove a failure, I will bear the expense.”

No one spoke for a few moments, and then Robert looked up.

”I feel that we are ent.i.tled to ask for a few particulars,” he said.

”There we must disagree,” Andrew replied. ”If I am right about the lode, you and the other shareholders will be told all you wish to know; if I am wrong, the loss will be mine.”

They were puzzled by his resolute air. He was placing himself at a disadvantage by refusing an explanation, but this did not seem to trouble him. He had all along adopted a strangely masterful tone, without a hint of doubt or hesitation.

”I hardly think you are treating us fairly by keeping us in the dark,”

Robert protested.

Andrew smiled.

”Then I must ask your forbearance. I was given full authority as a director when I went to Canada, and I must try to use it as I think best for the shareholders' benefit. Moreover, it cannot be rescinded until the next general meeting of the Company. When that is held, I shall be ready to give an account of what I have done.”

”Then it looks as if we had been brought here for nothing,” Mrs.

Fenwood complained.

”Hardly so. You have learned that the mine cannot be profitably worked on the present system and that I am making changes which may improve the Company's prospects. You have had an opportunity for condemning my policy, which you have not done. I venture to believe you are reserving your judgment, which is all I can ask.”

There was a pause for the next few moments. Andrew had changed his tone to one of grave appeal, and as he leaned back, waiting, with the light of the candles on his face, it struck one or two of them that he looked very much like his father, who had retrieved and added to the fortunes of the firm. Robert glanced at him in frank sympathy, which touched Andrew, for he had not expected it. Then Leonard broke the silence.

”Andrew is asking you to trust him with extensive powers; in fact, he demands something of the nature of a blank check, without explaining what use he means to make of it. I willingly admit that the position he holds by right is a strong one, and we have no direct means of restraining him; his interest in the firm gives him more authority than any of us individually holds. For all that, it must be remembered that he could not stand against the unanimous family vote, and I have no doubt he will agree that you are now called upon to act as a kind of informal jury. Whatever course you decide on the directors must adopt. Your position is accordingly a serious and important one.

Andrew is young and inexperienced; the affairs of a Company like the Rain Bluff demand careful and skilful handling.”

”Leonard has stated the situation fairly. I have nothing to add,”

Andrew said quietly.

His relatives hesitated, looking irresolute, with the exception of Florence and Mrs. Fenwood, who regarded Andrew with distrustful severity. After a few moments Wannop addressed them.

”My suggestion is that we do nothing at present, but wait, as Andrew asks, until a meeting of the shareholders is held, when he must give a full account of his plans. Then we will see our course more clearly; but if he finds he can take us into his confidence sooner, so much the better.”

Florence and Mrs. Fenwood dissented, but the others acquiesced, including Leonard, who knew how far it was prudent to go, and the party broke up. Andrew, however, remained in his place, and Leonard lingered to light a cigarette.

”I must congratulate you,” he said. ”You handled the thing better than one could have antic.i.p.ated. I suppose you are going back shortly, to look for the lode?”

”I am going back. I cannot tell you what I shall do until I arrive.”

Leonard winced.

”You're not disposed to be confidential, but I won't complain of that.” He added quietly: ”Be careful, Andrew; it's easy to make trouble, and hard to put it right. You haven't accomplished much yet, and there are serious difficulties ahead.”

”That's true,” admitted Andrew with a direct glance. ”I am, however, not making trouble. It's all round me and must be grappled with.”

”Then I wish you luck,” said Leonard, and went out.

Andrew lighted a cigar; he deeply distrusted Leonard, whose confederate, perhaps with his knowledge, had plotted to starve him to death; it was irksome that he should be forced to treat the man as an honored guest. Of late he had been subject to fits of savage anger as he remembered how his attempt to find the lode was thwarted. So far as it was possible, he must play out the game correctly in accordance with conventional rules. His relatives would insist on this; an outbreak would shock them and cost him their support. Nevertheless, it was hard to dissemble and treat Leonard courteously.