'
'And do you think, Miss Longworth, I am not conscientious enough
to refuse?'
'Oh, yes; you are conscientious, but you are sensible. Mr. Kenyon isn't.'
'I think you are mistaken about that. He is one of the most sensible men
in the world--morbidly sensible, perhaps.'
'Well, I think, if Mr. Kenyon knew I owned the mine, he would not take a
penny as his share. So I trust you will never let him know I am the
person who gave the money to buy the mine.'
'But is he never to know it, Miss Longworth?'
'Perhaps not. If he is to learn, I am the person to tell him.'
'I quite agree with you there, and I shall respect your confidence.'
'Now, what time,' said the young woman, looking at her watch, 'ought we
to get an answer from Mr. Kenyon?'
'Ah, that, as I said before, no one can tell.'
'I suppose, then, the best plan is to send the money at once, or put it
in the way of being sent, to some bank in Ottawa.'
'Yes, that is the best thing to do; although, of course, if John Kenyon
is not there----'
'If he is not there what shall we do?'
'I do not exactly know. I could cable to Mr. Von Brent. Von Brent is the
owner of the mine, and the man who gave John the option. I do not know
how far he is committed to the others. If he is as honest as I take him
to be, he will accept the money, providing it is sent in before twelve
o'clock, and then we shall have the mine. Of that I know nothing
whatever, because I have no particulars except John's cable-message.
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