"Seymour," my brother-in-law said impressively, "there is no time to be lost. I must write this evening to Sir David--I mean to My Lord. Do you happen to know where he is stopping at present?" "The Morning Post announced two or three days ago that he was at Glen-Ellachie," I answered. "Then I'll ask him to come over and thrash the matter out with me," my brother-in-law went on. "A very rich reef, they say. I must have my finger in it!" We adjourned into the study, where Sir Charles drafted, I must admit, a most judicious letter to the rival capitalist. He pointed out that the mineral resources of the country were probably great, but as yet uncertain. That the expense of crushing and milling might be almost prohibitive. That access to fuel was costly, and its conveyance difficult. That water was scarce, and commanded by our section. That two rival companies, if they happened to hit upon ore, might cut one another's throats by erecting two sets of furnaces or pumping plants, and bringing two separate streams to the spot, where one would answer. In short--to employ the golden word--that amalgamation might prove better in the end than competition; and that he advised, at least, a conference on the subject. I wrote it out fair for him, and Sir Charles, with the air of a Cromwell, signed it. "This is important, Sey," he said. "It had better be registered, for fear of falling into improper hands. Don't give it to Dobson; let Césarine take it over to Fowlis in the dog-cart." It is the drawback of Seldon that we are twelve miles from a railway station, though we look out on one of the loveliest firths in Scotland. Césarine took it as directed--an invaluable servant, that girl! Meanwhile, we learned from the Morning Post next day that young Mr. Granton had stolen a march upon us. He had arrived from Africa by the same mail with our agent's letter, and had joined his father at once at Glen-Ellachie. Two days later we received a most polite reply from the opposing interest. It ran after this fashion:-- "CRAIG-ELLACHIE LODGE, "GLEN-ELLACHIE, INVERNESS-SHIRE. "DEAR SIR CHARLES VANDRIFT--Thanks for yours of the 20th. In reply, I can only say I fully reciprocate your amiable desire that nothing