"Maybe," said Nairn. "For all that, the tone of your message was not altogether conciliatory. It informed us that ye would arrange for the postponed meeting at your earliest convenience. Ye didna mention ours." "I pointed that out to him, and he said it didn't matter," Carroll broke in, laughing. Nairn spread out his hands in expostulation, but there was dry appreciation in his eyes. "Young blood must have its way." Then he paused. "Ye will not have said anything to Horsfield yet about the smelter?" "No. So far, I'm not sure it would pay us to put up the plant, and the other man's terms were lower." "Maybe," Nairn answered, and he made the word very expressive. "Ye have had the handling of the thing; but henceforward it will be necessary to get the sanction of the board. However, ye will meet Horsfield to-night. We expect him and his sister." Vane thought he had been favoured with a hint, but he also fancied that his host was not inimical and was merely reserving his judgment. The latter changed the subject. "So ye're going to England for a holiday," he remarked. "Ye'll have friends who'll be glad to see ye?" "I've one sister and no other near relatives, but I expect to spend some time with folks you know. The Chisholms are old family friends and, as you will remember, it was through them I first approached you." Then obeying one of the impulses which occasionally swayed him he turned to Mrs. Nairn. "I'm grateful to them for sending me the letter of introduction to your husband. He didn't treat me as the others did when I first went round this city with a few mineral specimens." He had expected nothing when he spoke, but there was a responsive look in the lady's face which hinted that he had made a friend; and as a matter of fact, he owed a good deal to his host. "So ye are meaning to stay with Chisholm," Nairn exclaimed. "We had Evelyn here two years ago and Clara said something about her coming out again." "I never heard of that, but it's nine years since I saw Evelyn." "Then there's a surprise in store for ye," said Nairn. "I believe they've a bonny place, and there's no doubt Chisholm will make ye welcome." The slight pause was expressive. It implied that Nairn, who had a somewhat biting humour, could furnish a reason for Chisholm's hospitality if he desired, and Vane was confirmed in this supposition when he saw the warning look which his hostess cast at her husband. "It's likely that we'll have Evelyn again in the fall," she broke in. "It's a very small world, Mr. Vane." "It's a far cry from Vancouver to England," said Vane. "How did you come to know Chisholm?" Nairn answered him. "Our acquaintance began with business, and he's a kind of connection of Colquhoun's."