'I quite agree with you there, and I shall respect your confidence.'
'Now, what time,' said the young woman, looking at her watch, 'ought we to get an answer from Mr. Kenyon?'
'Ah, that, as I said before, no one can tell.'
'I suppose, then, the best plan is to send the money at once, or put it in the way of being sent, to some bank in Ottawa.'
'Yes, that is the best thing to do; although, of course, if John Kenyon is not there——'
'If he is not there what shall we do?'
'I do not exactly know. I could cable to Mr. Von Brent. Von Brent is the owner of the mine, and the man who gave John the option. I do not know how far he is committed to the others. If he is as honest as I take him to be, he will accept the money, providing it is sent in before twelve o'clock, and then we shall have the mine. Of that I know nothing whatever, because I have no particulars except John's cable-message.'
'Then, I can do no more just now?'
'Yes, you can. You will have to write a cheque for the twenty-five thousand pounds. You see, this cheque is crossed, and will go into your banking account. An other cheque will have to be drawn to get the money out.'
'Ah, I see. I have not my cheque-book here, but perhaps you can send this cheque to the bank, and I will return. There will be time enough, I suppose, before the closing hour of the bank?'