“One could head him off by bidding higher for the shares,” Farnam suggested.  “Still I suppose it’s impossible.  Anyhow, I have no more money.”

“That applies to all of us,” George said dryly.

Agatha smiled, for the situation had a touch of ironical humor.  In a sense, she was rich, but she was forced to practise stern economy and had not the means to defend her wealth.

“But what is Stormont’s plan?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” said George.  “That’s the worst, because it’s a sure thing he has a plan.  When he’s ready he’ll get after us.”

“For revenge?”

“Not altogether, I think,” Scott replied.  “He has a pick on you and Thirlwell, but it’s money he wants.  If he could let you down when he got the money, it would, no doubt, add to his satisfaction.”

“If he bought up a large number of the shares, it would give him a dangerous power,” Agatha said thoughtfully.  “Besides, he might persuade some of the other people to vote with him.  It’s unlucky we issued so many shares, although, of course, we needed the capital.”

Scott made a sign of agreement.  “We kept a block large enough to give us control unless nearly all the other holders voted against us, which we could not expect.  The trouble is, that our difficulties at the mine have made them anxious.  Stormont has probably worked on this, but it’s hard to see how he means to use the people.”

For some time they puzzled about Stormont’s object, but could not find a clue, and by and by Agatha said, “You must write to Mr. Thirlwell.”

“Thirlwell’s job is to get out the ore, and we’re up against things now because he hasn’t done as much as we expected,” George replied.

Agatha’s eyes sparkled.  “He has done all that was possible.  You must write to him.”

“Very well,” said George, and began to talk about something else.

* * * * *

A week or two later Stormont bought a large number of shares, but this was all, and the snow was beginning to melt when George got an ominous hint that the other’s plans had matured.  Stormont telephoned asking if he would meet him and a few of the shareholders at Montreal to talk about an important matter, and George fixed a day a week ahead.  Then he went to see Agatha.

“It’s lucky Mr. Thirlwell is coming down,” she said.  “Telegraph for somebody to meet him and tell him to be quick.  He must get to Montreal for the meeting.”

“I doubt if he can get through in time and don’t see what he can do if he comes,” George objected.

“Don’t argue, but send the telegram.  He has always been able to do something when there was a difficulty to be met,” Agatha rejoined; and George did as she ordered.

On the day of the meeting she joined George and Scott at Montreal and felt a pang of disappointment when she found Thirlwell had not arrived.

“Your messenger couldn’t have gone far, and a number of things may have delayed Thirlwell, but I know he’ll come,” she said to George, who smiled.