They
showed me an attack in one of the financial papers upon you, and said
that killed your chances of forming a company in London. They were here,
apparently, on their own business.'
'And what was their business?'
'To buy the mine.'
'Have they bought it?'
'Practically, yes. Of course, while your option holds good I cannot sell
it, but that, as you know, expires in a very few days.'
Kenyon, finding his worst suspicions confirmed, seemed speechless with
amazement, and in his agony mopped from his brow the drops collected
there.
'You appear to be astonished at this,' said Von Brent.
'I am very much astonished.'
'Well, you cannot blame me. I have acted perfectly square in the matter.
I had no idea Longworth, and the gentleman who was with him, had any
connection with you whatever. Their attention had been drawn to the mine,
they said, by that article. They had investigated it and appeared to be
satisfied there was something in it--in the mine, I mean, not in the
article. They said they had attended a meeting which you had called, but
it was quite evident you were not going to be able to form the company.
So they came here and made me a cash offer for the mine. They have
deposited twenty thousand pounds at the bank here, and on the day your
option closes they will give me a cheque for the amount.'
'It serves me right,' said Kenyon. 'I have been cheated and duped. I had
grave suspicions of it all along, but I did not act upon them.
Pages:
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297