'Very good. Would you have any objection to my seeing the papers that relate to the mine? I should like to get the figures of the output as nearly as possible, and any other particulars you may have that would enable me to estimate the value of the property. Also I should like to see a copy of the option, or the original document by which you hold the mine.' 'Certainly; I shall be very pleased to give you all the information in my power.' Wentworth turned to his desk and wrote for a few moments, then blotted the paper he had been writing, and handed it to Longworth. 'You have no objection, before this is done, to signing this document, have you?' Longworth adjusted his one eyeglass and looked at the paper, which read: 'I hereby agree to do my best to form a limited liability company for the purpose of taking over the Ottawa Mica-mine. I agree to pay my share of the expenses, and to accept one-third of the profits.' 'No, I don't object to sign this, though I think it should be a little more definite. I think it should state that the liability I incur is to be one-third of the whole preliminary expenses, the other two-thirds to be paid by Kenyon and yourself; and that, in return, I am to get one-third of the profits, the other two-thirds going to yourself and Kenyon. I think it should also state the amount of the capital of the new company; two hundred thousand pounds was suggested, if I remember rightly.' 'Very well,' answered Wentworth; 'I will rewrite that in accordance with your wishes.' This he did, and Longworth, again adjusting his eyeglass, read it. 'Now,' he said, 'as we are so formal about the matter, perhaps it would be as well for you to give me a note which I can keep, setting forth these same particulars.' 'Undoubtedly,' said Wentworth, 'I shall do that. Probably it would be better for you to write the document to suit your own views, and I will sign it.' 'Oh no, not at all. Write whatever is embodied there, so that you will have one paper and I the other.' This was done. 'Now then,' said Longworth, 'when does your option run out?' Wentworth named the date. 'Who is the owner of the mine?' 'It is owned by the Austrian Mining Company, headquarters at Vienna, and the option is signed by a Mr. Von Brent, of Ottawa, who is manager of the mine and one of the owners.' 'You are perfectly certain that he has every right to sell the mine?' 'Yes; Mr. Kenyon's lawyer saw to that while he was in Ottawa.' 'And you are sure, also, that your option is a thoroughly legal instrument?' 'We are sure of that.' 'Has it been examined by a London solicitor?' 'It has been submitted to a Canadian lawyer. The bargain was made in Canada, and it will have to be carried out in Canada, under the laws of Canada.' 'Still, don't you think it would be just as well to get the opinion of an English lawyer on it?' 'I think that would be an unnecessary expense. However, if you wish to have that done, we will do it.'