Poisoned flies dropped upon the tables and an electric fan made an unpleasant whirring as it churned the humid air.

Had his mood been normal the heat and noise would not have disturbed Thirlwell, but now they jarred.
His visit had been a failure, and his employers must develop the mine without the help of the latest machines.

He doubted if they could finance the undertaking until they struck the vein.

Then it looked as if he had been rash to reject Sir James's offer.

He had thrown away a chance of winning prosperity and perhaps fame in England, for he knew he had some talent and he was ambitious.