“I should like to inquire all about the Great Metropolitan Mining Company,” thought Walter.
“Do all the mines pay well?” he asked.
“Those that are well managed do for the most part. I am myself connected with one or two, which we hope will pay in the end. One of them has thus far been unsuccessful, but it only needs reorganization and improved management to pay.”
“I wish I knew whether he meant the Metropolitan mine,” thought Walter.
But General Wall did not specify whether this was the one he referred to, and Walter was left in doubt.
“Do you know when Mr. Barclay wishes to cease teaching?” inquired General Wall.
“I think at once. He has a severe cough, and he thinks the climate here does not suit him.”
The door opened at this point, and John Wall entered.
“Here is a letter, father,” he said.
His father took the letter with some eagerness and opened it. He turned the envelope in such a way that Walter saw the postmark, and with no little interest recognized it as Willoughby, N. Y. He also recognized the handwriting as that of Mr. Shaw. It was doubtless the letter in which the lawyer declined to close at once with the offer of two per cent. for Mr. Conrad’s claims. Walter was confirmed in this supposition by seeing a look of dissatisfaction upon the face of General Wall. The latter had imagined that the executor of Mr. Conrad’s estate would be glad to realize so much from what he might have concluded to be a worthless claim. The temporary refusal would necessarily interfere with his plans for the organization of a new company, who should enrich themselves at the expense of the original owners.