Part 17 (2/2)
”It must be, if Nairn paid for an extra word--highly's not in the code.”
Then he went on with the deciphering:
”_Result of reduction exceeds antic.i.p.ations. Stock thirty premium. Your presence not immediately required_.”
”That's distinctly encouraging,” declared Vane. ”Now that they are getting farther in, the ore must be carrying more silver.”
”It strikes me as fortunate. I ran through the bank account last night, and there's no doubt that you have spent a good deal of money. It confirms my opinion that you have mighty expensive friends.”
Vane frowned, but Carroll continued undeterred.
”You want pulling up, after the way you have been indulging in a reckless extravagance which, I feel compelled to point out, is new to you. The check drawn in favor of Gerald Chisholm rather astonished me. Have you said anything about it to his relatives?”
”I haven't.”
”Then, judging by the little I saw of him, I should consider it most unlikely that he has made any allusion to the matter. The next check was even more surprising--I mean the one you gave his father.”
”They were both loans. Chisholm offered me security.”
”Unsalable stock, or a mortgage on property that carries another charge!
Have you any idea of getting the money back?”
”What has that to do with you?”
Carroll spread out his hands.
”Only this: It strikes me that you need looking after. We can't stay here indefinitely. Hadn't you better get back to Vancouver before your English friends ruin you?”
”I'll go in three or four weeks; not before.”
Carroll sat silent a minute or two, and then looked his companion squarely in the face.
”Is it your intention to marry Evelyn Chisholm?”
”I don't know what has put that into your mind.”
”I should be a good deal astonished if it hadn't suggested itself to her family,” Carroll retorted.
Vane looked thoughtful.
”I'm far from sure that it's an idea they would entertain with any great favor. For one thing, I can't live here.”
Carroll laughed.
”Try them, and see. Show them Nairn's telegram when you mention the matter.”
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