Part 41 (1/2)

”The trouble is that the specimens might have been obtained from anywhere,” said Stirling, dryly.

”There's one concern anyway in whose case the objection does not apply. I got a telegram from my partner, the storekeeper, to the effect that the Hogarth Combine had sent up Van Staten from Vancouver to inspect the lode. I gather that one of the boys spotted him, though he meant to do it quietly. The fact that he didn't announce his name is rather suggestive. You can read the message.”

He took it from his pocket and handed it to Stirling, who wrinkled his brows.

”Well,” he observed, ”what Van Staten says goes. Very few of the big concerns would hesitate to purchase when he was satisfied with the thing. That storekeeper seems quite a smart man. The Hogarth people have, no doubt, made you an offer since then?”

”Four thousand dollars, all rights, and they'll meet expenses while I put in the a.s.sessment work and do all that's necessary to get t.i.tle from the Crown. They were kind enough to say that it was rather a hazardous venture, but they wanted another workable reef to round up their mineral properties. The reason seemed a little vague.”

Stirling smiled rather grimly. ”They want everything they can get their hands on in the shape of a mineral property, as long as it costs them 'most nothing. What did you tell them?”

”That they'd have to go up six times, anyway, before I considered the thing, and then I'd want half payment in ordinary stock. They asked if I meant to stick to that, and I said I did.”

”Then,” a.s.serted Stirling, ”you're going to have some trouble in keeping that mine. The Hogarth people have frozen out more than one little man who didn't want to part with his property. They're said to be quite smart at it, and there are various ways of getting hold of you.”

He studied Weston's face and saw it harden, which, as a matter of fact, rather pleased him. The stubbornness which had sent this young man back up the range, aching in every limb, with one boot full of blood--and Stirling had heard that story--was now, it seemed, impelling him into a struggle with a group of remarkably clever and powerful mining financiers. The successful contractor appreciated ability, especially when it was of the practical order, but perhaps he was right in rating character higher.

”Yes,” said Weston quietly, ”I quite expect that will be the case.”

”Have you had any other offer?”

”Wannop made me a conditional one. Pending investigation, he talks of floating a company here or in London. After the success of the Hazleton and Long Divide concern, he says they're disposed to regard British Columbian ventures favorably yonder. If it goes through, I'd have to take most of the vendor's payment in shares, which I'm quite ready to do. That's a rough sketch of the scheme, sir, but in the meanwhile it's only tentative.”

Stirling perused the paper handed him with close attention; and before he answered he lighted another cigar.

”Wannop's straight, but he and his friends are little men,” he said at length. ”You'd have the Hogarth Combine right on to you in London. One or two of their subsidiary concerns are registered there. Now, I don't know whether they really want your mine, but supposing they do, and you won't sell out to them, I guess you have some idea of what their game would be?”

”I'm afraid I haven't, sir.”

”Well,” said Stirling, ”you'll be fortunate if you get half your authorized capital applied for, and it would be quite an easy thing for the Hogarth people to send somebody on to the market to sell your stock down. That would freeze off any other investors from coming in, and scare those who had applied for stock into selling. You can't put up a crus.h.i.+ng and reducing plant without a pile of money, and dams and flumes for water-power would cost 'most as much; but you'd have to have them, for you could never pack your ore out to a smelter through the kind of country you have described to me. Now, unless you could get money enough to start clear with, the concern is bound to cave in.

Then somebody acting for the Combine would quietly buy it up.”

He broke off for a moment and looked hard at Weston.

”Suppose those people let you feel their hand and then make you a rather higher offer? What are you going to do?”

”Disregard it,” said Weston, quietly.

Stirling nodded in a manner which suggested that this was what he had expected.

”Well,” he said, ”I guess that's the course most likely to appeal to a man const.i.tuted as you seem to be. But the question is, are you tough enough to see it through? It's one that may cost you a good deal.”

”I don't know,” said Weston. ”I can only find out by trying.”

It appeared from his companion's manner that the answer pleased him.

”Now,” he said, ”are you open to take advice or help from me?”

Weston met his gaze, which was now unpleasantly steady.

”Advice, sir,” he answered. ”I'm afraid I couldn't take help.”