I don't mind the loss at all--I would gladly give Kenyon my
share--but for John it is a terrible blow. He had counted on the money to
pay debts which he considers he owes to his father for his education. He
calls them debts of honour, though they are not debts of honour in the
ordinary sense of the words. Therefore, it seemed to me a terrible thing
that----' Here he paused and did not go on. He saw there were tears in the
eyes of the girl to whom he was talking. 'It is brutal,' he said, 'to
tell you all this. You are not to blame for it and neither is your
father, although I spoke to him in a heated manner yesterday.'
'When did you say the option expires?'
'At twelve o'clock to-morrow.'
'How much money is required to buy the mine?'
'Twenty thousand pounds.'
'Can money be sent to Canada by cable?'
'Yes, I think so.'
'Aren't you quite sure?'
'No, I am not. It can be sent by telegraph in this country, and in
America.'
'How long will it take you to find out?'
'Only a few moments.'
'Very well. Where is Mr. Kenyon now?'
'Kenyon is in Ottawa. I had a cablegram from him yesterday.'
'Then, will you write a cablegram that can be sent away at once, asking
him to wait at the telegraph-office until he receives a further message
from you?'
'Yes, I can do that; but what good will it do?'
'Never mind that; perhaps it will do no good. I am going to try to make
it worth doing. Meanwhile remember, if I succeed, John Kenyon must never
know the particulars of this transaction.
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