CHAPTER XXXVIII THE MINING STOCK IS SOLD.

 "But I understood that you were poor," said Mr. Rockwell, surprised at Mark's statement.

 

"That we are so is because Mr. Talbot as executor has concealed¹ from my mother the existence of the stock as a part of grandfather's estate."

 

"How long since your grandfather died?"

 

"Nearly two years."

 

"And the stock is only now to be sold?"

 

"Yes; my uncle had advices that it would be well to wait, as it was likely to go up."

 

"And your mother's share is half—say, two hundred shares?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Then she will be comfortable for life. At the price I am thinking of paying, this will amount to over fifty thousand dollars. Now can you give me any information about the mine?"

 

"Yes, sir; I made it my business to inquire. It is confidently expected to go considerably² higher. It is growing richer every day."

 

"I shall rely upon your statements and buy the stock. After it is sold I advise you to take immediate³ steps to secure your share. Have you consulted a lawyer?"

 

"Yes; a young man."

 

"In a matter of this importance an older and more experienced lawyer will be better. I will give you a note to my own lawyer."

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

"I am now going to the office of Crane & Lawton where I shall meet your uncle, and conclude the business. Come here in less than two hours and I may be able to tell you the result."

 

"I will do so."

 

Solon Talbot was much elated when informed by Crane & Lawton that they had found a purchaser for his mining stock in the person of Luther Rockwell, the well-known banker.

 

"Do you think he would stand a higher price?" asked Talbot.

 

"It would not be wise to ask it."

 

"He is very rich. He could afford to pay more."

 

"True; but he became rich through prudence⁴ and shrewdness. Sell to him and you won't have to wait for your money."

 

"No doubt you are right. I will be guided by your advice."

 

When Solon Talbot was introduced to Mr. Rockwell he made a deferential⁵ bow.

 

"I am honored in making your acquaintance, Mr. Rockwell," he said.

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

The banker would have been more cordial but for what he had heard from Mark.

 

"How long have you owned this stock, Mr. Talbot?" inquired Mr. Rockwell.

 

"Three years."

 

"It is not held in your name."

 

"No; it belongs to the estate of my late father-in-law, Elisha Doane."

 

"I take it that you are the executor of the estate."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Solon Talbot would not have been so communicative if he had supposed that the banker was a friend to Mark. He had forgotten Mark's agency in protecting Mr. Rockwell from the dynamite⁶ fiend.

 

"The stock was probably purchased at a very low figure."

 

"I presume so, though I do not know what was paid for it. Indeed I never heard of it until I came to examine the items of my father-in-law's estate. He didn't have much else."

 

"It is fortunate for his heirs."

 

"Yes," answered Talbot rather nervously⁷.

 

He was afraid Mr. Rockwell might inquire who were the other heirs. Had he done so, he would have evaded⁸ the question or boldly declared that there was no other heirs except himself.

 

After half an hour's conversation the purchase was made, and a check for one hundred and four thousand dollars was handed to Mr. Talbot.

 

"I hope you will not have occasion to regret your purchase, Mr. Rockwell," said Solon.

 

"I think I shall not from advices I have received about increasing richness."

 

At the time appointed Mark called at Mr. Rockwell's office.

 

"Well, Mark," said the lawyer, "I made the purchase."

 

"At two hundred and sixty?"

 

"Yes. I congratulate you."

 

"That is, if I succeed in getting our share from my uncle."

 

"I will give you a letter to my lawyer, Mr. Gerrish. Obtain a letter from him, as your counsel, and call to-morrow upon your uncle with a formal demand for your mother's share of the proceeds of the mining stock."

1 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

2 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 prudence   

n.谨慎，精明，节俭

参考例句：

• A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.不够谨慎可能会导致财政上出现问题。
• The happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.幸运者都把他们的成功归因于谨慎或功德。

5 deferential   

adj. 敬意的，恭敬的

参考例句：

• They like five-star hotels and deferential treatment.他们喜欢五星级的宾馆和毕恭毕敬的接待。
• I am deferential and respectful in the presence of artists.我一向恭敬、尊重艺术家。

6 dynamite   

n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破)

参考例句：

• The workmen detonated the dynamite.工人们把炸药引爆了。
• The philosopher was still political dynamite.那位哲学家仍旧是政治上的爆炸性人物。

7 nervously   

adv.神情激动地，不安地

参考例句：

• He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇，努力忍着不哭出来。
• He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。

8 evaded   

逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出

参考例句：

• For two weeks they evaded the press. 他们有两周一直避而不见记者。
• The lion evaded the hunter. 那狮子躲开了猎人。