"I
knew there was to be a road--laid it out myself. But I did not know
that the work had started."
"Well, it has, and we may as well conclude out business."
"But the options do not expire until noon of July first."
"No, but what is to be gained by waiting here until the last minute?
He intends to close the deal, so why not get at it? I suppose you were
provided with the necessary funds to make the initial payment?"
Wentworth shook his head. "No," he answered. "In fact I have nothing
whatever to do with the transaction. I am an engineer sent up here to
locate the mill site, lay out the tote-road, and incidentally, to make
a survey of additional pulp-wood holdings. I am surprised to hear that
McNabb has begun construction of the road."
Cameron stared at the man in astonishment. "What do you mean?" he
asked, "that McNabb has added the expense of road construction to the
money he put into the options, without making provision for acquiring
title to the property? That does not sound like McNabb--what I've
heard of him."
"He has until noon of the first," reminded Wentworth.
"Yes, but where is he? He knows the North, and the hundred-an'-one
things that can happen to upset a schedule. If I had as much invested
in this thing as he has, you may believe I would have been here with
plenty of time to spare."
Wentworth nodded. "So would I.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81