hers. Prompt action of some
kind is certainly required."

"If Lyon be actually the villain he now seems, he will put himself
entirely beyond our reach on the first intimation of danger," said
Markland.

"So I have reasoned. Our only hope, therefore, is to get possession
of his person. But how is this to be accomplished?"

"Give immediate notice to the--Government, that he is in
possession of the funds due them by the Company, and they will not
fail to secure his person," said Markland.

"A good suggestion," replied Fenwick. And he sat in a thoughtful
attitude for some moments. "Yes, that is a good suggestion," he
repeated. "We must send a shrewd, confidential agent at once to
L--, and give information of the exact position of affairs."

"What is the date of the last communication from Lyon?" asked
Markland.

"He wrote on the tenth."

"Of last month?"

"Yes."

"And the--Government threatened to enter upon and seize our
property on the first of the present month?"

"True--true; and the worst may have already happened," said Fenwick.
"Still, an agent must go out, and vigorous efforts be made to save
our property."

"It will scarcely be worth saving, if in the condition represented,
and all our funds dissipated."

Fenwick sighed. There was something in that sigh, as it reached the
ears of Markland, which seemed like a mockery of trouble. He raised
his glance quickly to the agent's face, and searched it over with
the sharp eye of suspicion. Fenwick bore this scrutiny without the
faltering of a muscle. If he comprehended its meaning, his
consciousness thereof was in no way revealed.

"The Board will meet here at six o'clock this evening," said he,
quietly. "In the mean time, you had better digest the information we
have, and come prepared to aid us with your better judgment. The
crisis is one that demands calm, earnest thought and decisive
action."

"I will be here," replied Markland, rising. Then, with a formal bow,
he left the agent's office.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE time until six o'clock, the meeting-hour of the Board, was not
spent by Mr. Markland in solitary thought. He visited, during that
period, three of the principal men interested in the business, and
gleaned from them their views in regard to the late startling
intelligence. Most of them seemed utterly confounded, and no two had
arrived at the same conclusion as to what was best to be done.
Nearly all were inclined to credit fully the