Wannop looked amused. He was stout and clumsy, but he had his jovial air.
"You seem to have been getting smarter since you came to Canada," he said. "Perhaps I'd better admit that I was anxious to see how you were getting on."
"Didn't Leonard tell you?"
"Leonard was as guarded and diplomatic as usual. He informed us that there had been some trouble at the mine and he was afraid you hadn't experience enough to deal with the situation. Then he gave us the impression that you were inclined to be rash and might make a mess of things unless he came over and put you right."
"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew; "I expected something of the sort."
They looked at each other with mutual comprehension.
"Can matters be straightened out?" Wannop asked.
"Not in the few days that Leonard intends to devote to it. It's most unlikely that the Rain Bluff will ever pay."
"I'm sorry to hear it. A good deal of my money and Gertrude's has gone into the mine."
"You needn't be alarmed. I don't think the shareholders will suffer."