"Weel," drawled Nairn good-humoredly, "I'm no urging it. I would not see your partner make enemies for the want of a warning."
"He'd probably do so, in any case; it's a gift of his. On the other hand, it's fortunate that he has a way of making friends. The two things sometimes go together."
Vane turned to Nairn with signs of impatience.
"It might save trouble if I state that while I'm a director of the Clermont I expect to be content with a fair profit on my stock in the company."
"He's modest," Carroll commented. "What he means is that he doesn't propose to augment that profit by taking advantage of his position."
"It's a creditable idea, though I'm no sure it's as common as might be desired. While I have to thank ye for it, I would not consider the explanation altogether necessary." Nairn's eyes twinkled for a moment, and then he turned seriously to Vane. "Now we come to another point—the company's a small one, the mine is doing satisfactorily, and the moment's favorable for the floating of mineral properties. If we got an option on the half-developed claims near the Clermont and went into the market, it's likely that an issue of new stock would meet with the favor of investors."
"I suppose so," Vane responded. "I'll support such a scheme when I can see how an increased capital could be used to advantage and am convinced about the need for a smelter. At present that's not the case."
"I mentioned it as a duty—-ye'll hear more of it. For the rest, I'm inclined to agree with ye."
A few minutes later, Nairn went into the house with Carroll, and as they entered he glanced at his companion.
"In the present instance, Mr. Vane's views are sound," he said. "But I see difficulties before him in his business career."