In the meantime Newmark contented himself with
tying up the firm's assets in such a manner as to render it
impossible to raise money on its property when the time should come.
What Orde regarded as a series of petty annoyances had made the
problem of paying for the California timber a matter of greater
difficulty than he had supposed it would be. A pressure whose
points of support he could not place was closing slowly on him.
Against this pressure he exerted himself. It made him a trifle
uneasy, but it did not worry him. The margin of safety was not as
broad as he had reckoned, but it existed. And in any case, if worse
came to worst, he could always mortgage the California timber for
enough to make up the difference--and more. Against this expedient,
however, he opposed a sentimental obstinacy. It was Bobby's, and he
objected to encumbering it. In fact, Orde was capable of a
prolonged and bitter struggle to avoid doing so. Nevertheless, it
was there--an asset. A loan on its security would, with what he had
set aside, more than pay the notes on the northern peninsula
stumpage. Orde felt perfectly easy in his mind. He was in the
position of many of our rich men's sons who, quite sincerely and
earnestly, go penniless to the city to make their way.
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