_Donald Ban at The Front._
Meanwhile, at Laughing Donald’s, Cameron had carefully concealed the
accomplices he had brought up from the city to aid him in fulfilling
the most delicate part of his whole undertaking. Through Bill Blakely
he knew positively of the moves to be made by Perkins that morning at
the sale, and further, he had arranged with LeClare, who, accompanied
by Andy’s Dan, was spending the night upon the accommodating banks of
Castle Island, opposite The Front in the Archipelago about a quarter of
a mile distant from the mainland. By a signal from Blakely, displayed
at The Nole, LeClare was to pull over in haste to The Front or remain
where he was till the sale had been completed.
[Illustration: “As the hour of the sale approached, they assembled at
the east end of the broad veranda.”]
Thursday morning had arrived and the strangers from the city,
representing the supposed creditors who had forced Cameron into
premature bankruptcy, were roaming at large over the House of Cariboo.
Then as the hour of the sale approached, they assembled at the east end
of the broad veranda, from whence an uninterrupted view of the river
and islands of the expanse of the Lake St. Francis stretches away to
the eastward.
Gathered about the house and standing in groups around the veranda were
the workmen who were still engaged at The Nole. They talked in a hushed
undertone, and as Cameron and the tall, erect figure of Donald Ban came
slowly up the hill, the hum of their voices died away entirely. A few
of the near neighbors were present, and as Donald Ban, who was to act
as the referee agreed upon by both sides, took up his position upon the
veranda, he saw nearing the outskirts of the assembled group our worthy
friend Nicholas Perkins and his companion Fraser, the carpenter. Mr.
Cameron had selected an inconspicuous place from where he could easily
witness the proceedings without himself being too much in evidence.
Baring his head, beginning his introductory remarks, Donald Ban spoke
quietly: “Gentlemen, neighbors, and friends:—I am here before you
in the capacity of my profession as a lawyer. I am here also as the
confidant of one of the most interested parties to this proceeding, and
I am also come to see justice fairly dispensed. We in Glengarry are
more familiar with the circumstances which have led up to the building
of this magnificent structure, than those among us who are recently
come from a distant city. The motives which my worthy friend Cameron
may have had in mind while rearing before the public gaze this house
of stately proportions, he has succeeded pretty well in keeping to
himself. However unfortunate and disappointing the termination of his
project may seem, we, who have carefully watched the workings of the
heart which has dictated the directions in which these expenditures
have gone, must easily have discovered the philanthropic intent of Mr.
Cameron, who has been to us the greatest benefactor our county has
ever known. Now, gentlemen, the facts I have the honor to put before
you this morning I hope will inspire within you the spirit of fairness
and of charity toward a brother. I am authorized to sell this house to
the highest bidder. For the benefit of those wishing to bid I will read
the following inventory: For material, labor, trucking, etc., expended
in Glengarry for the constructing of this house, and which has been
paid, thirty thousand dollars. For fixtures, decorating and furnishing,
forty thousand dollars. One-half of this amount has also been paid. You
will readily see, gentlemen, that Cameron has a paid-up equity of fifty
thousand dollars in this property, and you are easily secured on the
twenty thousand dollars unpaid amount, and we hope your bidding will
indicate that you have this fact in mind. Now, what is your first bid?”
“Forty thousand,” came in a clear set voice from the centre of a group
of strangers on the left, and a stillness settled upon the group of men
surrounding the lawyer. As soon as Donald Ban had allowed sufficient
time to pass in which to recover naturally from what ought to seem
an unexpectedly high offer, he continued: “It is to be presumed,
gentlemen, that a figure covering the indebtedness of the individual
firms which you represent should satisfy your employers.”
“Fifty thousand,” yelled the man with the high silk hat standing
over in the midst of an excited group, and Perkins again drew up his
shoulders as at the first bid and moved out to the edge of interested
bidders. Almost immediately another bid was recorded, a new contestor
with a sixty thousand offer, and Perkins looked badly discouraged, for
he pulled his side whiskers continually. Then sixty-five and seventy,
and seventy-five thousand were finally recorded from the same three
strangers, and the bidding seemed to be over. A slight commotion in the
neighborhood of Perkins was noticed by Donald Ban, and inclining his
head in his direction, the lawyer forced out his first bid, making it
now seventy-six thousand. An excited movement was noticeable throughout
the assembled company. Donald Ban repeated the offer, and while the
crowd surged about the money lender, Donald Ban added a few remarks to
stimulate the interest already at the snapping tension.
“Gentlemen, to those of us who know, this property is exceedingly cheap
at eighty thousand dollars.” Perkins and Fraser had caught at once the
trend of Donald Ban’s remarks, and they feared the disclosure of the
contents of the corner stones. “Another unfortunate happening at this
time is the absence from The Front of the former partner and friend of
Mr. Cameron, whose presence here would be an assurance of this house
never passing under the hammer for less than a hundred thousand.”
Another thousand was added by the man wearing the high silk hat.
Seventy-eight quickly followed from his rival bidder, and the lawyer
turned again to Perkins.
At that instant Fraser had pushed quickly through the crowd and
whispered something in the ear of Perkins. Blakely had displayed the
signal, and coming across the Channel, speeding on toward The Nole, was
seen the long, low, swiftly-going boat of LeClare making straight for
the landing.
“Eighty thousand, gentlemen, we must have. Who says the price, and the
house goes to him!”
“I do,” came in a defiant voice, and Perkins pranced into the space
about the end of the veranda where stood Donald Ban, and the crowd fell
back from him in awe. “Here’s your deposit, and I’ll sign the bill of
sale at once. Now then, who is there here to oppose Nicholas Perkins
again at The Front?” He turned with this challenge to survey the crowd,
and for his answer he met a chill of distrust which struck at the
very vitals of life, for he saw there, smilingly before him, standing
shoulder to shoulder, as if greatly pleased at the outcome of the sale,
his tormentors, Blakely, Cameron and LeClare.