Part 58 (1/2)

”I have pleasure in proposing Mr. Antony Wannop, who is a large shareholder and Mr. Allinson's brother-in-law. Though I may be prejudiced, I feel that I may say that your interest may safely be trusted to the Allinson family.”

”After what we have heard here, that is an opinion with which I heartily agree,” a man at the back declared. ”None of us can doubt that Allinson is a justly respected name.”

Wannop was chosen and several more; and then a man got up.

”If it's necessary to hold an adjourned meeting, it will be attended as a matter of form,” he said. ”I propose that we instruct Mr.

Allinson to push on with the development of the new lode as fast as possible, giving him, with confidence, full authority to do what he thinks fit.”

Though the secretary tried to point out that the Board must act as a body, the proposal was carried with acclamation, and as the meeting broke up Andrew leaned forward rather heavily on the big oak table. He was filled with confused emotions and the strain had told on him. When he looked up the room was almost empty and Leonard had gone, but the reappointed directors whom he had suggested remained.

”We have something to regret,” said one awkwardly. ”It's unfortunate we didn't quite grasp your intentions. We feel that although you took us unprepared, you have treated us with exceptional fairness.”

”You may remember that you wouldn't listen when I tried to explain matters,” Andrew answered with a twinkle in his eyes. ”However, your greater experience should be valuable to me and I've no doubt we'll get on well in future.”

After a few cordial words they withdrew, and one of them turned to his companion.

”Though I'm glad we rejoined, I dare say you noticed the personal tone he took. It's clear that he expects us to play second fiddle.”

”Well, after all, Allinson has shown that he's capable of leading the tune.”

When they had gone Wannop came up to Andrew.

”It's a compliment when I tell you I wasn't a bit surprised,” he said.

”I'd expected something of the kind from you. The Allinson strain showed up well to-day. You got hold of them and swept them off their feet. Robert, too, proved himself a brick; but he's waiting in the pa.s.sage and we must try to shunt him. He'll lecture me on my new duties and I want a big, long drink. In fact, half a dozen would be better.”

Andrew laughed, and they went out, Wannop talking excitedly.

CHAPTER x.x.xII

THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE

On the day after the meeting Andrew returned to Ghyllside, and Hilda met him at the station, her eyes sparkling with delight.

”You have won!” she cried. ”Antony came down last night and brought us the news. Then Gertrude was over this morning and could talk of nothing else. She said you were splendid, and she got quite vexed when I told her she needn't speak as if she hadn't expected it.”

”After all, my position was a strong one,” Andrew said. ”It doesn't need much skill to win the game when you hold the best cards, and of course Dream Mine was the ace of trumps. Leonard could only throw down his hand when I brought it out.”

”Ah! but how did you get the ace? It wasn't by chance; you searched for it, starving, in the snow. But it's a silly metaphor--one isn't allowed to choose one's cards.”

”That's true,” Andrew replied with a trace of gravity. ”It was dealt to me--I think not by accident. Without it, I should not have won the game.”

Hilda's manner changed, for she was seldom serious long.

”Well,” she said, when he had helped her into the waiting trap, ”in the future you'll be called on to play a different one. You can't reasonably expect to find another mine, and you'll have no excuse for tramping through the wilds on snow-shoes, after this. Instead of furs and moccasins, you'll have to wear a silk hat and a Bond street coat, and write things in ledgers instead of firing off dynamite. How will you like it?”

”I don't know. However, I suppose it will have to be done; though I might, perhaps, hire somebody to do the writing for me.”

”That would be better,” Hilda laughed; ”your writing isn't good. But I'm afraid there's a bit of a trial in store for you to-night. All your friends and relatives in the neighborhood are coming to dinner and of course they'll congratulate you and try to look as if you hadn't astonished them. In a way, the situation is distinctly humorous.”