Part 45 (1/2)

”However, so far as my experience goes, a man who's scrupulous in one thing is very apt to prove the same in another. When we were out this afternoon, a snipe got up in front of him and he let me have the shot.”

”But how does that prove his general honesty?”

”I'm not sure I was ent.i.tled to the shot, though as the bird headed slightly toward me there was some doubt about the matter. Allinson gave me the full benefit, though I think he must have known that I would miss.”

”Is it a great sacrifice to give up a shot?”

”A snipe,” said Murray, ”is very hard to hit, though Allinson showed us afterward that he is capable of bringing one down. Now when you know you can do a difficult thing neatly, it's not easy to refrain.”

”Perhaps that's true,” Ethel agreed. ”No doubt the temptation's stronger when you have an appreciative audience.”

”Mine,” said Murray, ”was too polite to laugh.”

Mrs. Olcott asked him a question and they changed the subject, but after dinner Murray found an opportunity for a word with Andrew, whom Olcott had left alone in his smoking-room.

”Perhaps it's hardly correct to talk to you on business here, and I won't press you, but there's some information you may be able to give me,” he said.

Andrew looked at the man more carefully than he had hitherto done.

Murray's face was thin and rather haggard, but it bore the stamp of authority. His manner was grave but pleasant.

”I am at your service,” he replied.

”Then I want to ask about the Rain Bluff mine. A little time ago a stock-jobbing friend told me it ought to turn out a good thing. He said that whatever Allinson's took up could be relied on, and it was clear that he had a high opinion of your house. On the strength of it, I put some money into the venture.” He paused with a smile. ”Now, you are wondering why a man with means enough to speculate should go to West Africa?”

”Something like that was in my mind.”

”Well, I learned that I'd the knack of getting on with primitive peoples; in fact, it's my only talent, and I felt that I had to make use of it. Then it's a mysterious country, that gets hold of one, and perhaps is hardly so bad as it's painted. As a rule, I don't have fever more than half a dozen times a year. What's more to the purpose, part of the money was lately left to me. But I'm getting away from the point.”

Andrew was favorably impressed by the man. They had something in common, for both were imbued with a sense of responsibility. Murray had lightly indicated this, and Andrew knew that West Africa is far from a desirable place to live.

”You have a reason for feeling anxious about those shares?”

”Yes. In my district, the risk of getting permanently disabled by the climate or shot by an ambushed n.i.g.g.e.r has to be considered. Stipend and pension are small, and I felt that I needed something to fall back on. That was why I bought the Rain Bluff stock. Now my friend tells me that the shares are being quietly sold in small lots, which he seems to think ominous. If you can tell me anything about the matter, I'll be grateful.”

Andrew was silent for a minute or two, feeling troubled. He did not pity the regular stock-jobbers and speculators who had bought Rain Bluff stock, for they were accustomed to playing a risky game. It was, however, different with such investors as Murray--men of small means, who had carefully saved something to provide for old age, and women left with just enough to keep them from want. These, he thought, formed a numerous cla.s.s and demanded his sympathy. They had, no doubt, avoiding ventures which offered a larger return, been influenced by a desire for security, which would seem to be promised by Allinson's connection with the mine.

”Well,” he said at last, ”I believe it is true that shares have been parted with by a man who has a say in the management of the company.”

”That sounds discouraging. If I sell out, I'll lose three or four s.h.i.+llings on every share.”

”Yes; and if others follow your example, it will weaken the Company's position. However, I think you can venture to keep your stock.”

”You can't expect me to take the risk of holding, in order to support a concern in which I'm badly disappointed. I must ask you frankly what is wrong at the mine?”

”In strict confidence, I may say that the ore we are working does not promise well.”

Murray looked at him in astonishment.

”You are remarkably candid; but you give me a curious reason for holding on to my shares.”