'
'It is easy to say that, Mr. Longworth, now that the time of the option
has only a month further to run. You must remember that a great deal of
time has been lost, and not through our fault.'
'Ah! do you mean it has been lost through my fault?'
'I mean that if we had been alone something would have been done,
whereas we are now in the same position as when we started. We are in a
worse position than we were at the beginning, because we have not only
spent our money, but are deeply in debt into the bargain.'
'Well, Mr. Wentworth, I did not propose to withdraw until you, as a
matter of fact, almost suggested it. I am quite willing and anxious
to help, but if I do stay with you it must be understood that we
have no such recriminations as these. You must do your best, and I
must do my best.'
'Very well, then,' said Wentworth; 'your leaving us at this time is
entirely out of the question. Now, will you give me the names of those
gentlemen who have offered to go in with us?'
'Certainly.'
And Longworth pulled out a note-book from his inside pocket, while
Wentworth took up a pen from the desk and pulled a sheet of paper
towards him.
'First, Mr. Melville.'
'Is that the Melville I saw in relation to this mineral?'
'I am sure I do not know. He is at the head of the Scranton China
Company.'
'Has _he_ spoken of going in with us?'
'Yes, he seems to think the scheme is a good one. Why do you ask?'
'Well, merely because I took a specimen of the mineral to him and his
manager wrote to me that it was of no value.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237