The Washington herald., 1912-04-28
was Sinclair" he exelaimed,

was Sinclair" he exclaimed, %whc
gave you the tip"
Deane nodded That" he said
may have been part of his scheme.
He hadn't the money or the patience to
work it himself, and il may have oc-
CURED to him that IL he could get some
one else to do all the work. believing
that they had acquired the mine, il
l have weighed it all up" Deane con-
tinued. Il have been TO some mining
lawyers, and ] have spent small for
tune in cabling to the Cape. The con-
eluslon have come to is this: II
Sinclair prosecutes his claim-and he
means business-and goes to law. there
IS just a reasonable chance that he
might win"
"a reasonable chance" Rowan re-
peated.
at isn't only that, though" continued
Deane. There are other things to be
taken into consideration. We don't
want lawsuit. Several of our small
er mines are doing rather badly just
now, and we have been spending an
immense amount of money upon deYel-
opments. Amy suspicion as to the
validity of our title to the Little Anna
mine would be simply disastrous at the
present moment Our shares would
have a tremendous drop, just at the
time when We are least prepared for
it."
"Where do l come in?" Rowan asked
quietly.
Sinclair" Deane said, has only
been in the country three DAYS. He
has no friends, he drinks most of tn.
day, and he is staying at the Universal
Hotel, where | imagine that he spends
most of his time at the American bar.
Now | can't treat with the fellow.
Rowan. That's the trouble II were
to. show the least sign of weakness, the
game would be up. My only chance
was bluff. ! laughed In his face and
turned him out of the Office. But bluff
doesn't alter facts. You and he are
old acquaintance. / know very well
that you never hit it off together, al
though / never knew what was the
cause Of your quarrel However, there's
him. He's in that sort of maudlin
state when he'd welcome anybody
who'd drink with him and let him talk.
4 hdl - NuClC gOu NOlllC 4lls NONdll-
You can drink with him, and listen.
Find out whether this is a put-up thing
or whether he believes in it
Rowan nodded. Anything else?" he
asked in low tone.
There is no reason" Deane con-
tinued, why you should not, if he gets
confidential, open up negotiations on
your own account
"He has some documents, sup
poSe?" Rowan asked.
His claim to our mine" Dean an
swered, is contained in a single paper,
which he told me never left his per-
son. You were a lawyer once, Rowan
You know how to argue, to handle
facts, to make a bargain. The return
of that document to me would be
worth ten thousand pounds
Rowan's breathing seemed suddenly
TO have become worse. His lips were
parted, there was a strange glitter in
his eyes. Ten thousand pounds" he
muttered.
1T is a great deal of money, know"
Deane said, but understand this, Row.
an, once and for all. If this enterprise
appeals to you, you must undertake it
absolutely and entirely at your own
risk. Above all things, II is important
that neither Sinclair nor anyone else
in the world should ever dream that
had been behind any offer you might
make, or any course of action which
you might pursue All that l say to
you is that | am willing to give ten
thousand pounds for that document"
Ten thousand pounds" Rowan NUT
tered. 1T would be enough-more
than enough.
-"If you fail" continued Deane, "and
find yourself in trouble, / know nothing
of you. shall not raise a finger to
help you. demand from you your
word of honor that you do not mention
my name, that you deal with Sinclair
simply as a speculative fnancier dis
posed to be his friend. Remember that
the slightest association of my name
with yours would give him the clew
ruin here On the other hand, before
you go. if you tell me that you are
going heart and soul into this enter
prise, shall give you five hundred
pounds. Some of this you will need
for clothes, to make a presentable ap-
pearance, and to be able to entertain
Sinclair, and play your part as a cap
italist. If you fail, you can keep the
balance as a loan or a gift. whichever
you like. Now you can take your
choice. l am placing a good deal of
confidence in you, but 1 think that l
know my man"
Rowan struck the end of the table
with his hand. Eyes, you do. Deane!"
he declared, looking at him with kind
ling eyes. you do know him. indeed
clair EeFd y tbe one Ge nam in X. D world S
should die hating. He served me a
shabby trick once, and I've never for
gotten it Perhaps" Rowan added
perhaps ! may now turn the tables
upon him"