Nevis hesitated.  He thought it better that the interview should be conducted on strictly business lines, while to accept the proffered hospitality would tend to place him and the man he wished to deal with on a footing of social equality.  But it was desirable not to offend Singleton, and he lighted a cigar.

“To begin with, I must ask if you are still in any way connected with Mr. Lansing?” he said.

“No,” answered Singleton with some grimness.  “You can take it for granted that he has done with me.”

“That clears the ground.  We have been considering the report you wrote for him.  In our opinion, it was, while not encouraging, hardly sufficient to warrant his abandoning the project, in which, as you have been told, we were associated with him.”

“He may have had other motives,” Singleton suggested.

Nevis nodded gravely, as if in appreciation of his keenness.

“That,” he said, “is what occurred to us.  But what is your idea of the scheme?”

“It’s clearly stated in the report.”

Jackson made a sign of impatience.

“We’ll leave the report out and come to the point.  Can the rubber, which you say is really to be found, be collected and brought down to the coast without incurring a prohibitive expense?”

“Yes,” said Singleton.  “But you must understand me.  The methods generally adopted in such cases would be bound to fail.  You would require an overseer with rather exceptional technical knowledge, who must, besides this, be quite free from the usual prejudices on the native question.  They would, no doubt, be a little difficult to avoid, since at first he would have to put up with a few attempts upon his life; but, if he could combine resolution and strict justice with a conciliatory attitude, the attempt would cease, and I think he could earn you a fair return on a moderate outlay.”

Jackson laughed.

“So far as my experience goes, such men are scarce.  But I’d better say that we had you in mind when we made this visit.  Do you think you could do anything, if we sent you out?”

“Yes,” said Singleton quietly; “I believe I could make the venture pay.  Whether I’d think it worth while is another matter.”

“Then,” Nevis interposed, “it’s simply a question of terms?”

“Oh, no.  You may be surprised to hear that payment is not the first consideration; though it’s true.  I’m interested in certain investigations which can be carried out only in the tropics.  However, you’d better make your offer.”

Nevis did so, and Singleton pondered for a few moments.

“The remuneration might suffice, provided that I was given a percentage on the product and one or two special allowances; but before going any farther I must understand your intentions.  I’m a botanist, and have no wish to be made use of merely for the purpose of furthering some stock-jobbing scheme.  Do you really want this venture put upon a satisfactory working footing?”