"That is not what you told him. You must have meant to trick one of us or play false to both." "I can't tolerate such words!" Leonard lost the indulgent air he had so far assumed, and Andrew, leaning forward with elbows on the table, fixed his eyes on him. "We'll drop all disguises. You have plotted against me ever since I went to Canada, and I'm showing you more consideration than you deserve in speaking of these things in private instead of before the family. It is for Florence's sake I'm doing so." He raised his hand. "Let me finish! You would have ruined the Rain Bluff Company sooner than allow me to reorganize it; you conspired with Mappin to starve me and my friends to death." Leonard sat back in his chair with a harsh laugh. "That is ridiculous! If we are to talk the matter out, try to be calm. I'll admit that I would have been glad to prevent your wasting the Company's time and money on an absurd adventure, and gave Mappin a hint to that effect. If he went farther, for his own ends, I'm not responsible." "I'd like to believe that you speak the truth. Apart from this, you have persuaded the directors that my suggestions are not to be considered seriously and what's worse, you have from the beginning prejudiced my relatives against me. It's your doing that they think me a fool." A smile crept into Leonard's eyes. "It looks as if you mean to force a quarrel," he said. "In a sense, you're right. We can't go on as we have been doing." "Very well. What do you suggest?" "In the first place, I ask for your resignation from the Rain Bluff Board. That shouldn't be difficult; you have been selling your shares." Leonard considered for a minute. "I might agree. Three of the directors must retire, and the Company isn't likely to prosper if you get control." "I understand your reasons. The concern has got into trouble, for which I'm to be held responsible, and you clear out because you find it impossible to curb my recklessness. You expect to save your credit in that way." "Have it so, if you like," said Leonard coolly. His answer convinced Andrew that Leonard did not know of the richness of the lode. Andrew thought he had honestly disbelieved in it, and Mappin, who had informed him of its discovery, which had not yet been widely mentioned in the Canadian papers, might not have made him understand its importance. Indeed, it was possible that Mappin meant to throw over his English confederate. "I have another demand to make. I want your consent to a dissolution of your partnership in Allinson's." Leonard started and his face grew hard; though it seemed impossible that Andrew, whom he had genuinely looked down on, should urge the matter. "This is too much!" he exclaimed. "Have you lost your senses?"