'Oh yes, you can. I spoke to John Kenyon himself about being a partner in this mine. I am afraid he thought very little of the offer at the time. I don't intend him to know anything at all about my ownership now. He has discovered the mine--you and he together. If it is valueless, then you and he will be two of the sufferers; if it is all you think it is, then you will be the gainers. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and I am sure both you and Mr. Kenyon have laboured hard enough in this venture. Should he guess I bought it, the chances are that he will be stupidly and stubbornly conscientious, and decline to share the fruits of his labours.' '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.' 'Then, I can do no more just now?' 'Yes, you can. You will have to write a cheque for the twenty-five thousand pounds. You see, this cheque is crossed, and will go into your banking account. An other cheque will have to be drawn to get the money out.' 'Ah, I see. I have not my cheque-book here, but perhaps you can send this cheque to the bank, and I will return. There will be time enough, I suppose, before the closing hour of the bank?' 'Yes, there will be plenty of time. Of course, the sooner we get the money away the better.' 'I shall return shortly after lunch. Perhaps you will then have heard from Mr. Kenyon. If anything comes sooner, will you send me a telegram? Here is my address.' 'I will do that,' said Wentworth, as he bade her good-bye.