Part 24 (1/2)

”I know he is.” Vane frowned. ”It strikes me he's suspiciously anxious.

The arrangement he has in view would give him a pretty strong hold upon the company; and there are ways in which he could squeeze us.”

”It's possible. But, looking at it as a purely personal matter, there are inducements he could offer ye. Horsfield's a man who has the handling of other folks' money, if he has no that much of his own. It might be wise to stand in with him.”

”So he hinted,” Vane answered dryly.

”Your argument was about the worst you could have used, Mr. Nairn,”

Carroll laughed.

”Weel,” drawled Nairn good-humoredly, ”I'm no urging it. I would not see your partner make enemies for the want of a warning.”

”He'd probably do so, in any case; it's a gift of his. On the other hand, it's fortunate that he has a way of making friends. The two things sometimes go together.”

Vane turned to Nairn with signs of impatience.

”It might save trouble if I state that while I'm a director of the Clermont I expect to be content with a fair profit on my stock in the company.”

”He's modest,” Carroll commented. ”What he means is that he doesn't propose to augment that profit by taking advantage of his position.”

”It's a creditable idea, though I'm no sure it's as common as might be desired. While I have to thank ye for it, I would not consider the explanation altogether necessary.” Nairn's eyes twinkled for a moment, and then he turned seriously to Vane. ”Now we come to another point--the company's a small one, the mine is doing satisfactorily, and the moment's favorable for the floating of mineral properties. If we got an option on the half-developed claims near the Clermont and went into the market, it's likely that an issue of new stock would meet with the favor of investors.”

”I suppose so,” Vane responded. ”I'll support such a scheme when I can see how an increased capital could be used to advantage and am convinced about the need for a smelter. At present that's not the case.”

”I mentioned it as a duty---ye'll hear more of it. For the rest, I'm inclined to agree with ye.”

A few minutes later, Nairn went into the house with Carroll, and as they entered he glanced at his companion.

”In the present instance, Mr. Vane's views are sound,” he said. ”But I see difficulties before him in his business career.”

”So do I,” smiled Carroll. ”When he grapples with them it will be by a frontal attack.”

”A bit of compromise is judicious now and then.”

”In a general way, it's not likely to appeal to Vane. When he can't get through by direct means, there'll be something wrecked. You'd better understand what kind of man he is.”

Nairn made a sign of concurrence.

”It's no the first time I've been enlightened upon the point.”

Shortly after they had disappeared, Miss Horsfield came out of another door, and Vane rose when she approached him. He had always found her a pleasant companion.

”Mrs. Nairn told me I would find you and the others on the veranda,” she informed him. ”She said she would join you presently. It is too fine an evening to stay in.”

”I'm alone, as you see. Nairn and Carroll have just deserted me: but I can't complain. What pleases me most about this house is that you can do what you like in it, and--within limits--the same thing applies to this city.”

Jessy laughed as she sank gracefully into the chair he drew forward. She was, as a rule, deliberate in her movements, and her pose was usually an effective one.

”Yes,” she replied; ”I think that would please you. But how long have you been back?”