Magnan glanced at the papers, paused to read. He looked up. "Ah—"
"Something the matter, Mr. Consul?" Leatherwell demanded.
"It's just that—ah—I seem to recall—as a matter of fact...." Magnan looked at Retief. Retief took the papers, looked over the top sheet.
"95739-A. Sorry, Mr. Leatherwell. General Minerals has been anticipated. We're processing a prior claim."
"Prior claim?" Leatherwell barked. "You've issued the grant?"
"Oh, no indeed, Mr. Leatherwell," Magnan replied quickly. "The claim hasn't yet been processed."
"Then there's no difficulty," Leatherwell boomed. He glanced at his finger watch. "If you don't mind, I'll wait and take the grant along with me. I assume it will only take a minute or two to sign it and affix seals and so on?"
"The other claim was filed a full week ago—" Retief started.
"Bah!" Leatherwell waved a hand impatiently. "These details can be arranged." He fixed an eye on Magnan. "I'm sure all of us here understand that it's in the public interest that minerals properties go to responsible firms, with adequate capital for proper development."
"Why, ah," Magnan said.