This left Evelyn thoughtful, for she had undoubtedly seen Vane going there. She considered herself a judge of character and generally trusted her intuitions, and she believed that the man's visit to the neighborhood in question admitted of some satisfactory explanation. On the other hand, she felt that her friends should be beyond suspicion. Taking it all round, she was rather vexed with Vane, and it cost her some trouble to drive the matter out of her mind.
She did not see Vane the next day, but the latter called upon Nairn at his office during the afternoon.
"Have you had any more applications for the new stock?" he asked.
"I have no. Neither Bendle nor Howitson has paid up yet, though I've seen them about it once or twice."
"Investors are shy; that's a fact," Vane confessed. "It's unfortunate. I've already put off my trip north as long as possible. I wanted to see things arranged on a satisfactory basis before I went."
"A very prudent wish. I should advise ye to carry it out."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Something like this—if the money's no forthcoming, we may be compelled to fall back upon a different plan, and unless ye're to the fore, the decision of a shareholders' meeting might no suit ye. Considering the position and the stock ye hold, any views ye might express would carry more weight than mine would do in your absence."
Vane drummed with his fingers on the table.
"I suppose that's the case; but I've got to make the journey. With moderately good fortune it shouldn't take me long."