Shirley continued:

"You had erected a huge sawmill and built and equipped a logging-road
before you discovered you had been swindled. So, in order to save as
much as possible from the wreck, you decided to unload your white
elephant on somebody else. I was the readiest victim. You were the
executor of my father's estate--you were my guardian and financial
adviser, and so you found it very, very easy to swindle me!"

"I had my back to the wall," he quavered. "I was desperate--and it
wasn't at all the bad investment you have been told it is. You had
the money--more money than you knew what to do with--and with the
proceeds of the sale of those cedar lands, I knew I could make an
investment in California redwood and more than retrieve my fortunes--
make big money for both of us."

"You might have borrowed the money from me. You know I have never
hesitated to join in your enterprises."

"This was too big a deal for you, Shirley. I had vision. I could see
incalculable riches in this redwood empire, but it was a tremendous
gamble and required twenty millions to swing it at the very start. I
dreamed of the control of California redwood; and if you will stand
by me, Shirley, I shall yet make my dream come true--and half of it
shall be yours. It has always been my intention to buy back from you
secretly and at a nice profit to you that Caribou red cedar, and with
the acquisition of the Cardigan properties I would have been in
position to do so. Why, that Cardigan tract in the San Hedrin which
we will buy in within a year for half a million is worth five
millions at least. And by that time, I feel certain--in fact, I know--