'
'And what did you expect was wrong over here?'
'That I did not know. I knew you had time to get to Ottawa and see the
mine in twelve days from London. Not hearing from you in that time, and
knowing the option was running out, both Wentworth and I became anxious,
and so I came over.'
'Exactly. Well, I'm afraid you've had your trip for nothing.'
'What do you mean? Is not the mine all I said it was?'
'Oh, the mine is all right; all I meant was, there was really no
necessity for your coming.'
'But, you know, the option ends in a very short time.'
'Well, the option, like the mine, is all right. I think you might quite
safely have left it in my hands.'
It must be admitted that John Kenyon began to feel he had acted with
unreasonable rashness in taking his long voyage.
'Is Mr. Melville here with you?'
'Melville has returned home. He had not time to stay longer. All he
wanted was to satisfy himself about the mine. He was satisfied, and he
has gone home. If you were in London now, you would be able to see him.'
'Did you meet Mr. Von Brent?'
'Yes, he took us to the mine.'
'And did you say anything about the option to him?'
'Well, we had some conversation about it. There will be no trouble about
the option. What Von Brent wants is to sell his mine, that is all.'
There was a few moments' silence, then Longworth said: 'When are you
going back?'
'I do not know. I think I ought to see Von Brent. I am not at all easy
about leaving matters as they are.
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