"After that, I'd better say that I exonerated you--I think it's the right word--as soon as we'd had our first talk. I saw that you were being made a tool of." "You were right," said Andrew. "It isn't a pleasant situation. I don't mind its not being flattering; that's the least trouble." "What are you going to do about it?" "The square thing, so far as I'm able. Allinson's, so to speak, guaranteed the undertaking." There was some extra color in Andrew's face and pride in his voice, though he spoke quietly, and Frobisher sat silent a moment or two. "Have you made any plans yet?" the American then asked. Andrew told him that he proposed to take Carnally and Graham north to search for the silver lode; and Frobisher looked grave. "There's a point to be remembered," he cautioned. "Minerals in Canada belong to the State, which makes a grant of them to the discoverer on certain terms. The lode will therefore become the property of whoever first locates and records it, which will be open to any member of your party." "I've thought of that. The expedition will be financed by me, and I'll have an understanding with Graham and Carnally as to their share before we start." "Three claims could be staked, and your companions could make them over to you when the development work was done. If properly patented, you would be the legal owner." "I intend to become the owner." Frobisher looked as if the statement surprised him. "Then you'd better cut your connection with Rain Bluff before you set off," he advised. "It might prevent some complications. The directors might contend that you were not entitled to undertake private mining operations while you represented the Company and drew its pay." "I don't think you understand. I mean to hold the claims in my own name, so as to strengthen my position, which will need it. I expect to have serious trouble over the Company's affairs." Frobisher laughed softly. "You're no fool! You feel that you undertook to look after the shareholders' interests when you came over, and you have to make good?" "Yes," Andrew assented; "I feel something of the kind." "Then we'll assume that you find the lode and that it's as rich as Graham believes--which is taking a good deal for granted. Your shareholders, learning that Rain Bluff is worthless, would probably jump at a proposition that would give them back their money, or even part of it. You could buy them out and afterward repay yourself handsomely by developing the new mine." Andrew's face hardened. "When these people gave us their money, they did so expecting to get any profit that could be made. It's their due and, so far, Allinson's has never broken faith with those who trusted it."