“Give me a moment, Mr. St. Clair,” he said, with a note of authority in his tone. “You have made me an offer of a position such as I could hardly hope to expect for years to come, but I value it chiefly because it means you have absolute confidence in me; you believe in my ability and in my integrity. I am determined that you will never have cause to change your opinion of me. You are about to complete a deal involving a very large sum of money. I have a report here,” tapping his desk, “which you have not yet seen.” “It really doesn't matter!” interjected Mr. St. Clair; “you see, my dear fellow--” “It matters to me. It is a report which not only you ought to have, but which, in justice, the buyer of the Bass River Limits ought to see. That report, Mr. St. Clair, ought to be given to Colonel Thorp.” “This is sheer folly,” exclaimed Mr. St. Clair, impatiently. “It is the only honorable course.” “Do you mean to insult me, sir?” “There is only one other thing I would rather not do,” said Ranald, in a grave voice, “and that is refuse Colonel Thorp the information he is entitled to from us.” “Sir!” exclaimed Mr. St. Clair, “this is outrageous, and I demand an apology or your resignation!” “Colonel Thorp,” announced a clerk, opening the door. “Tell Colonel Thorp I cannot--ah, Colonel Thorp, I am glad to see you. Will you step this way?” opening the door leading to his own office. The colonel, a tall, raw-boned, typical “Uncle Sam,” even to the chin whisker and quid of tobacco, had an eye like an eagle. He shot a keen glance at Mr. St. Clair and then at Ranald. “Yes,” he said, helping himself to a chair, “this here's all right. This is your manager, eh?” “Mr. Macdonald,” said Mr. St. Clair, introducing him. “How do you do? Heard about you some,” said the colonel, shaking hands with him. “Quite a knocker, I believe. Well, you rather look like it. Used to do some myself. Been up north, so the boss says. Good country, eh?” “Fine sporting country, Colonel,” interrupted St. Clair. “The game, Mr. Macdonald says, come right into your tent and bed to be shot.” “Do, eh?” The colonel's eagle eye lighted up. “Now, what sort of game?” “Almost every kind, Colonel,” replied Ranald. “Don't say! Used to do a little myself. Moose?” “Yes, I saw a number of moose and any amount of other deer and, of course, plenty of bear.” “Don't say! How'd you come to leave them? Couldn't have done it myself, by the great Sam! Open timber?” “Well,” replied Ranald, slowly, “on the east of the Bass River--” “All that north country, Colonel,” said Mr. St. Clair, “is pretty much the same, I imagine; a little of all kinds.” “Much water, streams, and such?” “Yes, on the west side of the Bass there is plenty of water, a number of small streams and lakes, but--” “Oh, all through that north country, Colonel, you are safe in having a canoe in your outfit,” said Mr. St. Clair, again interrupting Ranald.