“It involves fearful meaning in the present case,” said Markland, in a hoarse voice.
“Fearful enough,” said Fenwick, gloomily.
“I was just on the eve of starting for the ground of the Company’s operations, when your letter reached me this morning. An hour later, and I would have been on my journey southward,” said Mr. Markland.
“It is well that I wrote, promptly,” remarked Fenwick. “You were, at least, saved a long and fruitless journey.”
“It will yet have to be taken, I fear,” said Markland.
Fenwick shook his head ominously, and muttered, half to himself—”Vain—vain!”
“Will you state clearly, yet in brief, the nature of the information you have received from Mr. Lyon?” said Markland. “I comprehend nothing yet.”
“His last communication,” was answered, “gives a hurried, rather confused account of the sudden flooding of the main shaft, in sinking which a large part of the capital invested has been expended, and the hopeless abandonment of the work in that direction.”
“Do you believe this statement?” asked Mr. Markland.
“I have another letter from one of the party on the ground, bearing the same date.”
“What does he say?”
“But little of the flooded shaft. Such an occurrence had, however, taken place, and the writer seemed to think it might require a steam-engine and pump to keep it clear, involving a delay of several months. The amount of water which came in was sufficient to cause a suspension of work, which he thought might be only temporary; but he could not speak with certainty in regard to that. But the most serious part of his communication is this:”
Mr. Fenwick took a letter from his desk, and read:—
“The worst feature of the case is the lack of funds. The Government officials have demanded the immediate payment of the second, third, and fourth instalments due on the Company’s grant of land, and have announced their purpose to seize upon all the effects here, and declare a forfeiture, unless these dues are forthcoming at the end of the present month. Mr. Lyon is greatly troubled, but mysterious. He has not, from the first day of his arrival out up to the present moment, admitted any one fully into his counsels. I know he has been seriously hampered for lack of funds, but was not aware, until now, that the second and third instalments of purchase-money remained unpaid; and my knowledge of this, and the impending danger from the Government, was only acquired through accident. No doubt Mr. Lyon has fully advised you of all the facts in the case; still, I feel it to be my duty also to refer to the subject.”
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Mr. Markland, as Fenwick paused, and lifted his eyes from the letter. “The second, third, and fourth instalments not paid! What can it mean? Was not the money forwarded to Mr. Lyon?”
“He took out funds to meet the second and third regular payments; and the money for the fourth went forward in good time. There is something wrong.”
“Wrong!” Mr. Markland was on his feet, and pacing the floor in an agitated manner. “Something wrong! There exists, I fear, somewhere in this business a conspiracy to swindle.”
And as he said this, he fixed his eyes intently on the countenance of Mr. Fenwick.
“The agent with whom we intrusted so much has, I fear, abused our confidence,” said Mr. Fenwick, speaking calmly, and returning the steady gaze of Markland.
“Who is the person who gives this information about the unpaid instalments?” asked the latter.
“A man in whose word every reliance may be placed.”
“You know him personally?”
“Yes.”
“Is his position on the ground such as to bring him within the reach of information like that which he assumes to give?”
“Yes.”
“Is he a man of intelligence?”
“He is.”
“And one of cool judgment?”
“Yes; and this is why the information he gives is of such serious import. He would never communicate such information on mere rumour or inference. He knows the facts, or he would not have averred to their existence.”
“Has there been a meeting of the Board?” inquired Markland.
“There was a hurried meeting yesterday afternoon; and we shall convene again at six this evening.”
“What was done?”
“Nothing. Consternation at the intelligence seized upon every one. There were regrets, anxieties, and denunciations, but no action.”
“What is the general view in regard to Lyon?”
“Some refuse to admit the implied charge that lies against him; while others take the worst for granted, and denounce him in unmeasured terms.”
“What is your opinion?” asked Markland.
“Knowing the man from whom information comes, I am led to fear the worst. Still, there may have been some
