“We’re willing to pay.”

George studied the paper and then threw it down.  “You’re willing to pay about a quarter of what the mine is worth!  After reading that document, it’s obvious that you mean to put the screw to us; but we’ll fight.”

Scott, who glanced at the draft of agreement, nodded, but Stormont said:  “You might make some trouble, but must be beaten.”

“Why?” Agatha asked.

“I think your brother knows.  Each share in your company carries a vote; I hold a large block, and the gentlemen who have promised to support me hold more.  If you force us to call a meeting, we will count you out.”

“There are some shares in reserve,” said Agatha, whose eyes sparkled defiantly.

Stormont smiled.  “If you have some rich friends, you might, of course, persuade them to buy the shares and vote for you; but you can’t sell them in the ordinary way.  I imagine Mr. Strange has tried!”

Agatha saw that George had tried when she glanced at his disturbed face.  Then she turned to Thirlwell and noted, with surprise, that he looked amused.  She could see nothing in the way matters were going that warranted his humorous twinkle.  It looked as if Stormont would win, and she felt that she was being robbed to satisfy his greed; but the mine meant more to her than the money she had expected to get.  She had resolved to make it famous as a monument to her father; its success was to prove that his life had not Been wasted in empty dreams.

“Investors are a suspicious lot,” Stormont went on.  “They don’t like to lose their money, and you must admit that there’s not much to encourage buyers of your shares to run the risk.  The ore is rich, but we are up against obstacles that your manager is obviously unable to remove.  In fact, my scheme ought to work out for your benefit.”

The sneer at Thirlwell roused Agatha.  “The obstacles will not vanish if you get control, and you cannot find a manager who will do as well.  Then the scheme will not benefit me; it is meant to benefit nobody but you.  If your friends are foolish enough to support it, you will find a way of overreaching them.”

George frowned.  Agatha’s indignation was warranted, but this was not the line to take at a business meeting.  Then Gardner looked up, rather sharply, as if the girl’s remarks had excited some suspicion that was already in his mind.

“I think you must see that any advantage Mr. Stormont gains will be shared by the rest.”

“If you believe this, you are very dull,” Agatha replied.

“Anyhow, you’ll admit that we are short of money and don’t know where to get it, while to combine with the Adventurers would supply the needed capital.”

“Yes,” said Agatha.  “But Mr. Stormont wants to take your shares for much less than they are worth.  You can let him have yours, if you like; he shall not get mine!”

“Then you must try to sell them, and you’ll find it difficult,” Leeson interposed.  “If you force us to call a meeting, we can carry our scheme.”