"One of the fast boats. He should be here in nine days." Then he looked disturbed. "It may prevent your going North."
"No," Andrew said resolutely; "it shall not do that; but I'll have to see him. It's strange he should come, though I told him the mine wasn't paying."
"You want to remember that Mappin's a friend of his," Carnally interposed. "There's another thing: you can't tell him about the lode, which, so far, doesn't belong to you. I guess the less you say about your plans the better."
"I believe that's true," Andrew agreed. "Well, our start must be put off a while."
Leonard arrived, accompanied by Wannop, who explained that he had come to see the country and look up one or two old friends. Soon after they reached the Landing, Leonard had an interview with Watson, who had been summoned to meet him; then he went with Andrew to his room at the hotel. It was small and scantily furnished, but a galvanized pipe which ran up through the floor from the basement heater made it comfortably warm; and Leonard, sitting in a rickety chair, watched his brother-in-law closely while he talked about the mine. Andrew had acquired a quickness of thought and a decision of manner which were new to Leonard. There was a pause after he had finished his explanation, for both felt that the next few minutes might prove momentous. They held widely different views and an unconsidered remark might bring them into open collision. Leonard waited, ready to profit by any mistake the other made, until Andrew spoke.
"I was surprised to hear you were coming over; though perhaps it's as well you did so."
"When I got your letter the matter seemed serious enough to require my personal attention."
"You may tell me what you think," said Andrew, "and I'll consider it carefully."
"To begin with, why did you give Mappin notice to terminate his contract?"
"It seemed the best thing to be done in the shareholders' interest."