"I should have imagined it," he said, in answer to her last remark, and he was right, for Jessie Horsfield was a clever woman, who loved power and influence. Then she abruptly changed the subject. "It was you who located the Clermont mine, wasn't it?" she asked. "I read something about it in the papers; I think they said it was copper." This vagueness was misleading, because her brother had given her a good deal of information about the mine. "Yes," said Vane, who was willing to take up any subject she suggested; "it's copper, but there's some silver combined with it. Of course, the value of any ore depends upon two things--the percentage of the metal, and the cost of extracting it." She waited with flattering interest, and he added: "In both respects, Clermont produce is promising." After that he did not remember what they talked about; but the time passed rapidly and he was surprised when Mrs. Nairn rose and the company drifted away by twos and threes towards the verandah. Left by himself a moment, he came upon Carroll sauntering down a corridor, and the latter stopped him. "I've had a chat with Horsfield," he remarked. "Well?" said Vane. "He may have merely meant to make himself agreeable, and he may have wished to extract information about you. If the latter was his object, he was not successful." "Ah!" said Vane thoughtfully. "Nairn's straight, anyway, and to be relied upon. I like him and his wife." "So do I," Carroll agreed. He moved away, and a few moments later Horsfield joined Vane, who had strolled out on to the verandah. "I don't know if it's a very suitable time to mention it, but are you any nearer a decision about that smelter yet?" he said. "Candidly, I'd like the contract." "No," said Vane. "I can't make up my mind, and I may postpone the matter indefinitely. It might prove more profitable to ship the ore out for reduction." Horsfield examined his cigar. "Of course, I can't press you; but I may perhaps suggest that as we'll have to work together in other matters, I might be able to give you a quid pro quo." "That occurred to me," said Vane, "On the other hand, I don't know how much importance I ought to attach to the consideration." His companion laughed with apparent good-humour. "Oh, well!" he answered, "I must wait until you're ready." He strolled away, and presently joined his sister. "How does Vane strike you?" he asked. "You seem to get on with him." "I've an idea that you won't find him easy to influence, and the girl looked at her brother pointedly. "I'm inclined to agree with you," said Horsfield. "In spite of that, he's a man worth cultivating." He passed on to speak to Nairn, and by and by Vane sat down beside Jessie in a corner of a big room. It was simply furnished, but spacious and lofty and looked out across the verandah. It was pleasant to lounge there and feel that Miss Horsfield had good-naturedly taken him under her wing, which seemed to describe her attitude.