Singleton pondered this. He had learned a little about company floating, and was willing to oblige his host as far as he honestly could. Lansing had enabled him to undertake a search for some rare examples of tropical flora by paying him a handsome fee for the report.
"Well," he said, "there is some good rubber in your territory, as I have stated."
"But not readily accessible?"
"I'm afraid I can't say it is."
Herbert smiled at him.
"I'm not suggesting such a course. In asking a man of your character and attainments to investigate, I was prompted by the desire to get a reliable report."
Singleton did not know what to make of this; so far as his experience went, gentlemen who paid for an opinion on the property they meant to dispose of did not want an unfavorable one.
"The rubber's scattered and grows in awkward places," he explained.
"Precisely." Herbert glanced at the paper. "You mentioned something of the kind. But what about planting and systematic cultivation?"
"Soil and climate are eminently suitable."