Vane smiled, though there was a trace of embarrassment in his manner. "Now you mention it, you were equally confiding. We have only arrived at a rather indefinite understanding about your share yet." "We'll leave it at that," said the other. "I haven't struck anybody else in this city who would hear about the thing. Anyway, I'd prefer a few shares in the concern, as mentioned, instead of money. If you get the thing on foot, I guess it will go." During the rest of the day Vane was busy on board the sloop, but in the evening he walked over to Horsfield's house with Mrs. Nairn, and found Jessie and her brother at home. Horsfield presently took him to his smoking-room. "About that smelter," he said. "Haven't you make your mind up yet?" "Isn't it a matter for the board?" Vane asked suggestively. "There are several directors." Horsfield laughed. "We'll face the fact; they'll do what you decide upon." Vane did not reply to this. "Well," he said, "at present we couldn't keep a smelter big enough to be economical going, and I'm doubtful if we would get much ore from the other properties you were talking to Nairn about." "Did he say it was my idea?" "He didn't: I'd reasons for assuming it. Those properties, however, are of no account." Horsfield waited expectantly, and Vane went on: "If it seems possible that we can profitably increase our output later by means of further capital, we'll put up a smelter. But in that case it might be economical to do the work ourselves." "Who would superintend it?" "I would, if necessary." Horsfield smiled in a significant manner. "Aren't you inclined to take hold of too much? When you have plenty in your hands, it's good policy to leave a little for somebody else. Sometimes the person who benefits is willing to reciprocate." The hint was plain, and Nairn had said sufficient on another occasion to make it clearer; but Vane did not respond. "If we gave the work out, it would be an open tender," he said. "There would be no reason why you shouldn't make a bid." Horsfield found it difficult to conceal his disgust. He had no desire to bid on an open tender, which would prevent his obtaining anything beyond the market price. "The question must stand over until I come back," Vane resumed. "I'm going up the west coast shortly and may be away some little time." They left the smoking-room soon afterwards, and when they strolled back to the other, Vane sat down near Jessie. "I hear you are going away," she began. "Yes," said Vane; "I'm going to look for pulping timber." "But why do you want pulping timber?" "It can sometimes be converted into dollars." "Isn't there every prospect of your obtaining a good many already? Are you never satisfied?" "I suppose I'm open to take as many as I can get," Vane answered with an air of humorous consideration. "The reason probably is that I've had very few until lately. Still, I don't think it's altogether the dollars that are driving me."