"I shouldn't have suspected you of being so diffident, but I dare say you thought this was a chance for earning some money easily."
"Yes," said Clarke. "For five thousand pounds, I'll undertake that no word of what I've told you will ever pass my lip's again."
"And do you suppose I'd pay five thousand pounds to see my nephew wronged?"
"I believe you might do so to save your son." Challoner controlled his anger, for he wished to lead the man on and learn something about his plans.
"Out of the question!" he said briefly.
"Then I'll make you an alternative offer—and it's worth considering. Take, or get your friends to subscribe for ten thousand pounds' worth of shares in a commercial syndicate I'm getting up. You'll never regret it. If you wish, I'll make you a director, so that you can satisfy yourself that the money will be wisely spent. You'll get it back several times over."
Challoner laughed.
"This is to salve my feelings; to make the thing look like a business transaction?"
"Oh, no!" Clarke declared, leaning forward and speaking eagerly. "It's a genuine offer. I'll ask your attention for a minute or two. Canada's an undeveloped country; we have scarcely begun to tap its natural resources, and there's wealth ready for exploitation all over it. We roughly know the extent of the farming land and the value of the timber, but the minerals still to a large extent await discovery, while perhaps the most readily and profitably handled product is oil. Now I know a belt of country where it's oozing from the soil; and with ten thousand pounds I'll engage to bore wells that will give a remarkable yield."
His manner was impressive, and though Challoner had no cause to trust him he thought the man sincere.