"I got your letter at Fort William as I was coming here," he said. "It seemed to need an explanation. What d'you mean by giving me warning to quit?"
His tone was offensive, but Andrew sat down quietly, knowing it was desirable to keep cool.
"I thought I'd better send you notice that we may terminate our arrangements in three months, as we have the option of doing," he replied.
"But why do you want to terminate them?"
"We may shut down the Rain Bluff. It's not paying."
Mapping gave a snorting laugh.
"What has that to do with it?"
"It ought to be obvious," Andrew said curtly. "If the mine won't pay, it must be closed. Allinson's is not in the habit of carrying on a business for its private benefit at the investors' expense."
"I shouldn't have thought it," Mappin sneered, and looked hard at Andrew. "You seem to be taking a pretty decided line. May I ask whom you are speaking for?"
"For myself, in the first place, but I believe the shareholders would support me. Though I haven't interfered much so far, I'm the head of the firm."