“You may think so, gentlemen,” said Mr. Fenwick, coolly, “but I will stake my life on the unwavering faith of my correspondent in all he alleges.  Moreover, he is not the man to make a communication of such serious import lightly.  He knows the facts, or he would not affirm them.  My advice is to send out an agent immediately.”

“For what purpose?” was inquired.

“To ascertain the true position of affairs; and if our property have really been seized by the—­Government, to take steps for its release.”

“More funds will be required,” said one of the Company.

“We cannot, of course, send out an agent empty-handed,” was replied.

“Depletion must stop, so far as I am concerned,” was the firm response of one individual.  “I will throw no more good money after bad.  If you send out an agent, gentlemen, don’t call on me to bear a part of the expense.”

“You are not, surely, prepared to abandon every thing at this point,” said another.

“I am prepared to wait for further news, before I let one more dollar leave my pocket; and I will wait,” was answered.

“And so will I,” added another.

Two parties were gradually formed; one in favour of sending out an agent forthwith, and the other decided in their purpose not to risk another dollar until more certain information was received.  This was the aspect of affairs when the Board adjourned to meet again on the next evening.

The result of this conference tended in no degree to calm the fears of Mr. Markland.  How gladly would he now give up all interest in the splendid enterprise which had so captivated his imagination, if he could do so at the expense of one-half of his fortune!

“If I could save only a small part of the wreck!” he said to himself, as he paced the floor of his room at the hotel.  It was far past the hour of midnight, but no sleep weighed upon his eyelids.  “Even sufficient,” he added, in a sad voice, “to keep in possession our beautiful home.  As for myself, I can go back into busy life again.  I am yet in the prime of manhood, and can tread safely and successfully the old and yet unforgotten ways to prosperity.  Toil will be nothing to me, so the home-nest remain undisturbed, and my beloved ones suffer not through my blindness and folly.”

A new thought came into his mind.  His investments in the enterprise, now in such jeopardy, reached the sum of nearly one hundred thousand dollars.  The greater part of this had been actually paid in.  His notes and endorsements made up the balance.

“I will sell out for twenty-five cents in the dollar,” said he.