'I haven't the slightest idea, really.'
'No? I was told you were interested in the mine from which this was
taken. Mr. Wentworth called on me yesterday, and gave your name as one of
those who were concerned with the mine.'
'Ah, yes, I see; yes, yes, I have--some interest in the mine.'
'Well, it is about that I came to talk with you. Where is the mine
situated?'
'It is near the Ottawa River, I believe, some distance above Montreal. I
am not certain about its exact position, but it is somewhere in that
neighbourhood.'
'I thought by the way Wentworth talked it was in the United States. He
mentioned another person as being his partner in the affair; I forget
his name.'
'John Kenyon, probably.'
'Kenyon! Yes, I think that was the name. Yes, I am sure it was. Now, may
I ask what is your connection with that mine? Are you a partner of
Wentworth's and Kenyon's? Are you the chief owner of the mine, or is the
mine owned by them?'
'In the first place, Mr. Melville, I should like to know why you ask me
these questions?'
Melville laughed.
'Well, I will tell you. We should like to know what chance there is of
our getting a controlling interest in the mine. That is very frankly put,
isn't it?'
'Yes, it is. But whom do you mean by "we"? Who else besides yourself?'
'By "we" I mean the china company to which I belong. This mineral is
useful in making china. That I suppose you know.'
'Yes, I was aware of that,' answered Longworth, although he heard it now
for the first time.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174