“Is that so? Well, that’s interesting. I’d like to meet you when you have more time, and talk it over.”
“See here, young man, you’re talking business, and that’s what I advised you not to do.”
“Yes, but with my physician in attendance—that makes some difference. Won’t you extend your charity and spare me a few minutes more. Can’t you ’phone to the hospital? I have something that will interest you, now that I know you have stock in the N. M. & Q.”
“Well, Ross, as a physician I ought to say no, but as your friend, well, I’ll listen, say ten minutes.”
“Good!” exclaimed David, taking a piece of paper from the desk. “Now I’m going to swear you to secrecy.”
“I’m sworn,” said the Doctor. “Go ahead.”
David made a hasty sketch of the Lost Farm tract and the first survey. “Now here we are,” he said. “First survey crosses the river here; second survey about five miles below. Up here,” he continued, “is Timberland Mountain, and here is the creek crossing the line of the first survey.” He paused and glanced at the Doctor’s face. “In that creekbed is a fortune in asbestos—miles of it. Now the original intention of the directors was to run the road round the base of the mountain and cross the creek here. You can see that the second survey would take the road through five miles below the mountain.”
“Yes, I see,” said the Doctor; “but why do they want to go away off there?”
“Well, Bascomb knows that the mineral is on Lost Farm. He has tried to purchase the land, but it is not for sale. It belongs to my partner, a Mr. Avery.“
“Right of eminent domain?” queried the Doctor.