“Horsfield has been bringing up that smelter project again, and there’s something to be said in favour of his views,” he remarked. “We’re paying a good deal for reduction.”
“We couldn’t keep a smelter going at present,” Vane objected.
“There are two or three low-grade mineral properties in the neighbourhood of the Clermont that have only had a little development work done on them,” Nairn pointed out. “They can’t pay freight on their raw product; but I’m thinking we’d encourage their owners to open up the mines, and get their business, if we had a smelter handy.”
“It wouldn’t amount to much,” Vane replied. “Besides, there’s another objection—we haven’t the dollars to put up a thoroughly efficient plant.”
“Horsfield’s ready to find part of them and do the work.”
“I know he is,” said Vane. “He’s suspiciously eager. The arrangement would give him a pretty strong hold upon the company; there are ways in which he could squeeze us.”
“It’s possible. But, looking at it as a personal matter, there are inducements he could offer ye. Horsfield’s a man who has the handling of other folks’ dollars, as weel as a good many of his own. It might be wise to stand in with him.”
“So he hinted,” Vane answered shortly.
“Your argument was about the worst you could have used, Mr. Nairn,” Carroll broke in, laughing.
“Weel,” said Nairn, good-humouredly, “I’m no urging it. I would not see your partner make enemies for the want of a warning.”