But I'm out again now and I guess you can see I
don't figure on being stung."

"I'll give you thirty million," said Stoddard, speaking slowly, "and
not a dollar more."

"Will you sell out for that?" demanded Rimrock instantly. "Will you
take _forty_ for what you hold? You won't? Then what are you offering
it to me for? Haven't I got the advantage of control?"

"Well, perhaps you have," answered Stoddard doubtfully and turned and
looked straight at Mary. "Miss Fortune," he said, "I don't know you
intimately, but you seem to be a reasonable woman. May I ask at this
time whether it is your present intention to hold your stock, or to
sell?"

"I intend to hold my stock," replied Mary very quietly, "and to vote it
whichever way seems best."

"Then am I to understand that you don't follow Mr. Jones blindly, and
that he has no control over your stock?"

Mary nodded, but as Stoddard leaned forward with an offer she hurried
on to explain.

"But at the same time," she said in her gentlest manner and with a
reassuring glance at her lover, "when we think what hardships Mr. Jones
had endured in order to find this mine, and all he has been through
since, I think it is no more than right that he should remain in
control."

"Aha! I see!" responded Stoddard cynically, "may I enquire if you
young people have an understanding?"

"That is none of your business," she answered sharply, but the telltale
blush was there.

"Ah, yes, excuse me," murmured Stoddard playfully, "a lady might well
hesitate--with him!"

He cast a teasing glance in the direction of Rimrock and perceived he
had guessed right again. "Well, well," he hurried on, "that does make
a difference--it's the most uncertain element in the game. But all
this aside, may I ask you young people if you have a top price for your
stock. I don't suppose I can meet it, but it's no harm to mention it.
Don't be modest--whatever it is!"

"A hundred million dollars!" spoke up Rimrock promptly, "that's what I
value my share of the mine."

"And you?" began Stoddard with a quizzical smile, but Mary seemed not
to hear. It was a way she had, when a thing was to be avoided; but
Stoddard raised his voice. "And you, Miss Fortune?" he called
insistently. "How much do you want for your stock?"

She glanced up, startled, then looked at Rimrock and dropped her eyes
to the table.

"I don't wish to sell," she answered quietly and the two men glared at
each other.

"Mr.