ALLEGHANY CORP /DE
S-3, 1996-10-11
TITLE INSURANCE
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       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 1996
                                                   Registration Number         
                                                                       --------
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C.  20549
                                          
                                   --------------
    
                                      FORM S-3
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                       UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                          
                                   --------------
    
                               ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
    
                   Delaware                                 51-0283071
        (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)                Identification Number)
    
                                  375 Park Avenue
                              New York, New York 10152
                                   (212) 752-1356
                (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
         including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
    
                                Robert M. Hart, Esq.
                       Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                   and Secretary
                               Alleghany Corporation
                                  375 Park Avenue
                              New York, New York 10152
                                   (212) 752-1356
             (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                     including area code, of agent for service)
    
                                   --------------
    
                                     Copies to:
                               Linda E. Ransom, Esq.
                          Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine
                                30 Rockefeller Plaza
                             New York, New York  10112
                                   (212) 632-3000
    
                                   --------------
    
         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  
         From time to time after the effective date of this Registration 
         Statement.
         
<PAGE>





              If the only securities being registered on this Form are 
         being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 
         please check the following box. [ ]
         
              If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to 
         be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 
         under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered 
         only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 
         check the following box. [x]
         
              If this Form is filed to register additional securities 
         for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities 
         Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act 
         registration statement number of the earlier effective 
         registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
         
              If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to 
         Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and 
         list the Securities Act registration statement number of the 
         earlier effective registration statement for the same 
         offering. [ ]
         
              If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant 
         to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ]
         
                                   --------------
         
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
 ==============================================================================
                                       PROPOSED       PROPOSED
 TITLE OF EACH                          MAXIMUM        MAXIMUM        AMOUNT
   CLASS OF               AMOUNT       OFFERING       AGGREGATE         OF
 SECURITIES TO            TO BE        PRICE PER      OFFERING     REGISTRATION
 BE REGISTERED          REGISTERED      UNIT (1)      PRICE (1)         FEE
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Common Stock,   
    par value $1.00
    per share             31,564        $205.25      $6,478,511      $2,233.97
 ==============================================================================
         
         (1)  Estimated for the sole purpose of computing the registration 
              fee.  Pursuant to Securities Act Rule 457(c), the proposed 
              maximum offering price per unit is calculated as the average 
              of the high and low prices, reported by the New York Stock 
              Exchange, Inc., of the common stock of the registrant as of 
              October 7, 1996. 
         
              THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON 
         SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE 
         UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH 
         SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL 
         THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE 
         SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL 
              
                                           -2-
<PAGE>





         BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION ACTING PURSUANT TO 
         SAID SECTION 8(A) MAY DETERMINE.
         
              INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR 
         AMENDMENT.  A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES 
         HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE 
         SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR 
         TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.  THIS 
         PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE 
         SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF 
         THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR 
         SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL, PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION 
         UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
         
         
                      SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 11, 1996
              
              
              PROSPECTUS
              
                                      31,564 SHARES
              
                                  ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
              
                                      COMMON STOCK
              
              
                        This Prospectus relates to 31,564 shares (the 
              "Shares") of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the 
              "Common Stock"), of Alleghany Corporation ("Alleghany") being 
              offered for the accounts of certain persons named herein 
              under "Selling Stockholders" (the "Selling Stockholders") or 
              by pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in 
              interest of the Selling Stockholders ("Transferees").  
              Alleghany will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale 
              of the Shares being offered hereby.
              
                        The Common Stock of Alleghany is listed on the 
              New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "Y."  On 
              October 7, 1996, the reported last sale price of the Common 
              Stock of Alleghany on the New York Stock Exchange was 
              $206.00.
              
                        The Shares offered by this Prospectus may be 
              offered and sold by the Selling Stockholders or Transferees 
              from time to time in one or more open market transactions on 
              the New York Stock Exchange, in negotiated transactions, or 
              otherwise (or in any combination of such methods of sale), in 
              each case at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at 
              prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at 
              negotiated prices.  Accordingly, sales prices and proceeds to 
              the Selling Stockholders or Transferees will depend upon 
              price fluctuations and the manner of sale.  The Selling 

              
                                           -3-
<PAGE>





              Stockholders or Transferees may effect such transactions by 
              selling to or through one or more broker-dealers, and such 
              broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of 
              underwriting discounts, brokerage commissions or similar fees 
              from the Selling Stockholders or Transferees in amounts which 
              may vary from transaction to transaction.  The Selling 
              Stockholders, Transferees and any broker-dealers that 
              participate in the distribution may be deemed to be 
              "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the 
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), 
              and any commissions received by them and any profits realized 
              on the resale of Shares by them may be deemed to be 
              underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities 
              Act.  The Selling Stockholders or Transferees may agree to 
              indemnify such broker-dealers against certain liabilities, 
              including liabilities under the Securities Act.  The Selling 
              Stockholders have advised Alleghany that they have not 
              entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements 
              with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of 
              the Shares being offered hereby.  See "Plan of Distribution" 
              and "Selling Stockholders."
              
                        Alleghany has agreed to pay certain costs and 
              expenses in connection with the registration of the Shares 
              being offered hereby, estimated at $25,000; however, all 
              other expenses incident to the disposition by each Selling 
              Stockholder or Transferee of the Shares held by him, her or 
              it, including brokerage commissions, shall be borne by such 
              Selling Stockholder or Transferee.  See "Selling 
              Stockholders."
              
                                     --------------
              
              THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
                  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE 
                    SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND 
                      EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES 
                    COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY 
                OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
                                 IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
              
                                     --------------
              
                    The date of this Prospectus is October   , 1996.
              









              
                                           -4-
<PAGE>





              <PAGE>
                                  AVAILABLE INFORMATION
              
                        Alleghany is subject to the informational 
              requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
              amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith 
              files reports, proxy statements and other information with 
              the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  
              Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by 
              Alleghany with the Commission may be inspected and copied at 
              the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission 
              at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., 
              Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the 
              Commission in New York (Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, 
              New York, New York 10048) and Chicago (500 West Madison 
              Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661).  Copies of such 
              materials also may be obtained at prescribed rates from the 
              Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth 
              Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.  Such material may also 
              be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 
              Inc. (20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005).  Alleghany 
              is an electronic filer, and the Commission maintains a Web 
              site that contains reports, proxy and information statements 
              and other information regarding registrants (including 
              Alleghany) that file electronically with the Commission.  The 
              address of the Commission's Web site is:  http://www.sec.gov.  
              
                        Alleghany has filed with the Commission a 
              Registration Statement on Form S-3 (of which this Prospectus 
              is a part) under the Securities Act with respect to the 
              Shares being offered hereby.  This Prospectus does not 
              contain all of the information set forth in the Registration 
              Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted as 
              permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission.  
              Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any 
              contract, agreement, instrument or other document are not 
              necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made 
              to the copy of such contract, agreement, instrument or 
              document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, 
              each such statement being qualified in all respects by such 
              reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
              
                     INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
              
                        The following documents filed with the Commission 
              by Alleghany (File No. 1-9371) are incorporated herein by 
              reference and made a part hereof:
              
                   (1)  Alleghany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
                        fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, which 
                        incorporates by reference certain portions of 
                        (i) Alleghany's 1995 Annual Report to Stockholders, 
                        including financial statements, notes thereto and 
                        accompanying information, and (ii) Alleghany's 
              
                                           -5-
<PAGE>





                        Proxy Statement dated March 28, 1996, relating to 
                        its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on 
                        April 26, 1996;
              
                   (2)  Alleghany's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the 
                        quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and 
                        September 30, 1996; and
              
                   (3)  the description of the Common Stock of Alleghany 
                        contained in its Registration Statement on Form 10 
                        filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, 
                        which incorporates by reference certain portions of 
                        Alleghany's Proxy Statement dated November 26, 1986 
                        relating to its Special Meeting of Stockholders 
                        held on December 19, 1986; such description is 
                        qualified in its entirety by reference to the 
                        (i) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of 
                        Alleghany, as amended, and (ii) By-Laws of 
                        Alleghany, as amended, filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 
                        3.2, respectively, to the Registration Statement of 
                        which this Prospectus is a part, and any amendment 
                        or report filed for the purpose of updating that 
                        description.
              
                        All documents filed by Alleghany pursuant to 
              Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 
              subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the 
              termination of the offering of the Shares being offered 
              hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in 
              this Prospectus and made a part hereof from the date of 
              filing of such documents.
              
                        Any statement contained herein or in a document 
              incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 
              shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of 
              this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained 
              herein or in any other document subsequently filed with the 
              Commission which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by 
              reference herein or in any Prospectus Supplement modifies or 
              supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or 
              superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or 
              superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
              
                        Alleghany hereby undertakes to provide without 
              charge to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is 
              delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a 
              copy of any and all documents that have been incorporated by 
              reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to any such 
              documents unless such exhibits themselves are specifically 
              incorporated by reference in such document.  Such requests 
              should be directed to the Secretary of Alleghany Corporation, 
              375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152, telephone number 
              (212) 752-1356.
              
              
                                           -6-
<PAGE>





              <PAGE>
                                  ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
              
                        Alleghany was incorporated in 1984 under the laws 
              of the State of Delaware.  In December 1986, Alleghany 
              succeeded to the business of its parent company,  Alleghany 
              Corporation, a Maryland corporation incorporated in 1929, 
              upon the parent company's liquidation.
              
                        Alleghany's principal executive offices are located 
              at 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152 and its 
              telephone number is (212) 752-1356.  Alleghany is engaged, 
              through its subsidiaries Chicago Title and Trust Company 
              ("CT&T"), Chicago Title Insurance Company, Security Union 
              Title Insurance Company and Ticor Title Insurance Company and 
              their subsidiaries, in the sale and underwriting of title 
              insurance and in other real estate-related services 
              businesses, and through CT&T's subsidiary, Alleghany Asset 
              Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries, in certain other 
              financial services businesses.  Alleghany is also engaged, 
              through its subsidiary Underwriters Reinsurance Company, in 
              the property and casualty reinsurance and insurance 
              businesses.  In addition, Alleghany is engaged, through its 
              subsidiaries World Minerals Inc., Celite Corporation, 
              Harborlite Corporation and Europerlite Acquisition 
              Corporation and their subsidiaries, in the industrial 
              minerals business.  Alleghany conducts a steel fastener 
              importing and distribution business through its Heads and 
              Threads division. 
              
                                     USE OF PROCEEDS
              
                        Alleghany will not receive any of the proceeds from 
              sales of the Shares being offered hereby.  See "Selling 
              Stockholders" for a list of those persons who will receive 
              the proceeds from such sales.
              
                                  SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
              
                        The Shares offered hereby were issued to the 
              Selling Stockholders in connection with a business 
              combination in which a subsidiary of Alleghany was merged 
              (the "Merger") into Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc. ("CTC").  
              CTC is engaged in the title insurance agency business.  
              Pursuant to the merger agreement, Alleghany agreed to 
              register the Shares being offered hereby.  The merger 
              agreement also provides that the expenses incurred in 
              connection with the registration of the Shares being offered 
              hereby (including, without limitation, registration fees, 
              printing or document reproduction expenses, and fees and 
              expenses of Alleghany's counsel and accountants) are to be 
              borne by Alleghany, and all other expenses incident to the 
              disposition by each Selling Stockholder or Transferee of the 
              Shares held by him or her (including, without limitation, 
              
                                           -7-
<PAGE>





              fees and expenses of his or her counsel and all underwriting 
              discounts, if any, brokerage commissions and similar fees) 
              are to be borne by such Selling Stockholder or Transferee.  
              In addition, Alleghany has agreed to indemnify the Selling 
              Stockholders against certain liabilities arising out of or 
              due to actual or alleged material misstatements or omissions 
              in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a 
              part (other than liability arising from information supplied 
              by a Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the 
              Registration Statement), and the Selling Stockholders jointly 
              and severally have agreed to indemnify Alleghany against 
              certain liabilities arising from actual or alleged material 
              misstatements or omissions in such Registration Statement 
              which arise out of or are due to material misstatements or 
              omissions in the information supplied by the Selling 
              Stockholders expressly for use in such Registration 
              Statement.
              
                        The names of the Selling Stockholders, their 
              positions, offices or other material relationships with CTC, 
              and the number of shares of Alleghany Common Stock owned by 
              them and offered hereby are set forth below.  Except with 
              respect to their ownership of the common stock of CTC prior 
              to the Merger and except as set forth below, none of the 
              Selling Stockholders has had a material relationship with 
              Alleghany or any of its predecessors or affiliates within the 
              past three years.  Except as set forth below, none of the 
              Selling Stockholders beneficially owns any shares of 
              Alleghany Common Stock.  If all of the Shares offered by this 
              Prospectus are sold by the Selling Stockholders, no Selling 
              Stockholder will own any shares of Alleghany Common Stock 
              after completion of the offering.
              
                        DONALD C. FORD:  Mr. Ford has been a Director and 
              President of CTC since 1988.  Mr. Ford owns 6,313 Shares, all 
              of which are offered for sale pursuant to this Prospectus.
              
                        NANCY A. LEPRINO:  Ms. Leprino is an employee of 
              CTC and, subsequent to the date of termination of such 
              employment (expected to occur on December 31, 1996), will be 
              a consultant to CTC for a period of six months.  Prior to the 
              Merger, Ms. Leprino was a Director and Vice President, 
              Secretary and Treasurer of CTC.  Ms. Leprino owns 8,396 
              Shares, all of which are offered for sale pursuant to this 
              Prospectus.
              
                        MIKE A. LEPRINO:  Prior to the Merger, Mr. Leprino 
              was a Director of CTC.  Mr. Leprino owns 16,855 Shares, all 
              of which are offered for sale pursuant to this Prospectus.
              
              



              
                                           -8-
<PAGE>





                                  PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
              
                        The Shares offered by this Prospectus may be 
              offered and sold by the Selling Stockholders or Transferees, 
              from time to time in one or more open market transactions on 
              the New York Stock Exchange, in negotiated transactions, or 
              otherwise (or in any combination of such methods of sale), in 
              each case at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at 
              prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at 
              negotiated prices.  Accordingly, sales prices and proceeds to 
              the Selling Stockholders or Transferees will depend upon 
              price fluctuations and the manner of sale.  The Selling 
              Stockholders or Transferees may effect such transactions by 
              selling to or through one or more broker-dealers, and such 
              broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of 
              underwriting discounts, brokerage commissions or similar fees 
              from the Selling Stockholders or Transferees in amounts which 
              may vary from transaction to transaction.  The Selling 
              Stockholders, Transferees and any broker-dealers that 
              participate in the distribution may be deemed to be 
              "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the 
              Securities Act, and any commissions received by them and any 
              profits realized on the resale of Shares by them may be 
              deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the 
              Securities Act.  The Selling Stockholders may agree to 
              indemnify such broker-dealers against certain liabilities, 
              including liabilities under the Securities Act.  See "Selling 
              Stockholders."  The Selling Stockholders have advised 
              Alleghany that they have not entered into any agreements, 
              understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or 
              broker-dealers regarding the sale of the Shares being offered 
              hereby.
              
                                      LEGAL OPINION
              
                        The validity of the Shares being offered hereby 
              will be passed upon for Alleghany by Donovan Leisure Newton & 
              Irvine, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112.
              
                                         EXPERTS
              
                        The consolidated financial statements and financial 
              statement schedules of Alleghany and its subsidiaries 
              included in or incorporated by reference in Alleghany's 
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
              December 31, 1995 have been incorporated herein by reference 
              in reliance upon the reports, also incorporated herein by 
              reference, of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified 
              public accountants, given on their authority as experts in 
              auditing and accounting.  Such reports refer to the adoption 
              by Alleghany of the provisions of the Financial Accounting 
              Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
              No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and 
              Equity Securities," at December 31, 1993.
              
              
                                           -9-
<PAGE>





    <PAGE>
         NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON 
    HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY 
    INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER 
    THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY
    REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN
    OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR 
    REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
    HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ALLEGHANY                  31,564 SHARES
    CORPORATION. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT 
    CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A 
    SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF                 ALLEGHANY
    THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO               CORPORATION
    ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE 
    SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH 
    JURISDICTION.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF                COMMON STOCK
    THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE 
    HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, 
    CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN 
    NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF ALLEGHANY 
    CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES SINCE THE
    DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN
    IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO 
    ITS DATE.
                  -------------

                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                         Page              PROSPECTUS

    Available Information...............    5

    Incorporation of Certain
      Documents by Reference............    5

    Alleghany Corporation...............    7

    Use of Proceeds.....................    7

    Selling Stockholders................    7

    Plan of Distribution................    9

    Legal Opinion.......................    9

    Experts...........................      9
                                                        October   , 1996






              
                                          -10-
<PAGE>





              <PAGE>
                                         PART II
              
              
                         INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
              
              ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
              
                        The following are the expenses payable by Alleghany 
              in connection with the offering of the Shares described in 
              this Registration Statement, all of which are estimated 
              except for the registration fee:
              
              Securities and Exchange Commission
                 registration fee                      $ 2,233.97
              Legal fees and expenses                  $12,000.00
              Accounting fees and expenses             $10,000.00
              Miscellaneous expenses                   $   766.03
                                                        ---------
              
                 TOTAL                                 $25,000.00
                                                        =========
              
                        All other expenses incident to the disposition by 
              each Selling Stockholder of the Shares held by him or her 
              (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of his or 
              her counsel and all underwriting discounts, if any, brokerage 
              commissions and similar fees) are to be borne by such Selling 
              Stockholder.
              
              ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
              
                        Alleghany is a Delaware corporation.  Reference is 
              made to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law 
              as to indemnification by Alleghany of its officers and 
              directors.  The general effect of such law is to empower a 
              corporation to indemnify any of its officers and directors 
              against certain expenses (including attorneys' fees), 
              judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and 
              reasonably incurred by the person to be indemnified in 
              connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings 
              (threatened, pending or completed) if the person to be 
              indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably 
              believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of 
              the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or 
              proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct 
              was unlawful.
              
                        Article Tenth of Alleghany's Restated Certificate 
              of Incorporation, as amended (which Restated Certificate of 
              Incorporation is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3.1 to 
              this Registration Statement), provides for the 
              indemnification of Alleghany's officers and directors in 
              accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, and 
              
                                          -11-
<PAGE>





              includes, as permitted by the Delaware General Corporation 
              Law, certain limitations on the potential personal liability 
              of members of Alleghany's Board of Directors for monetary 
              damages as a result of actions taken in their capacity as 
              Board members.
              
                        The directors and officers of Alleghany are covered 
              by insurance policies indemnifying them against certain 
              liabilities arising under the Securities Act which might be 
              incurred by them in such capacities.
              
              ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
              
                        The documents listed hereunder are filed as 
              exhibits hereto.
              
              Exhibit Number          Description
              --------------          -----------
              
                    2.1               Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 
                                      as of August 22, 1996, among Chicago 
                                      Title of Colorado, Inc. (the 
                                      "Company"), Alleghany Acquisition 
                                      Corporation, Alleghany and each of 
                                      the shareholders of the Company (the 
                                      "Merger Agreement").
              
                    2.2               List of Contents of Exhibits to the 
                                      Merger Agreement.
              
                    3.1               Restated Certificate of Incorporation 
                                      of Alleghany, as amended by Amendment 
                                      accepted and received for filing by 
                                      the Secretary of State of the State 
                                      of Delaware on June 23, 1988, filed 
                                      as Exhibit 20 to Alleghany's 
                                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
                                      quarter ended June 30, 1988, is 
                                      incorporated herein by reference.
              
                    3.2               By-Laws of Alleghany, as amended 
                                      April 18, 1995, filed as Exhibit 3.1 
                                      to Alleghany's Quarterly Report on 
                                      Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
                                      31, 1995, are incorporated herein by 
                                      reference.
              
                    5                 Opinion and Consent of Donovan 
                                      Leisure Newton & Irvine.
              
                   23.1               Consent of Donovan Leisure Newton & 
                                      Irvine (included in Exhibit 5 
                                      hereto).
              
              
                                          -12-
<PAGE>





                   23.2               Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
              
                   24                 Powers of Attorney.
              
                   28                 Information from reports furnished 
                                      to state regulatory authorities by 
                                      Underwriters Reinsurance Company, 
                                      Commercial Underwriters Insurance 
                                      Company, and Underwriters Insurance 
                                      Company, filed as Exhibit 28 to 
                                      Alleghany's Annual Report on Form 
                                      10-K for the year ended December 31, 
                                      1995, is incorporated herein by 
                                      reference.
              
              ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
              
                   (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
              
                        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or 
              sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this 
              registration statement:
              
                             (i) to include any prospectus required by 
                   section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, unless 
                   the information required to be included in such post-
                   effective amendment is contained in periodic reports 
                   filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or 
                   section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
                   that are incorporated by reference in this registration 
                   statement.
              
                             (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts 
                   or events arising after the effective date of this 
                   registration statement (or the most recent post-
                   effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in 
                   the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the 
                   information set forth in this registration statement, 
                   unless the information required to be included in such 
                   post-effective amendment is contained in periodic 
                   reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 
                   or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
                   that are incorporated by reference in this registration 
                   statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase 
                   or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the 
                   total dollar value of securities offered would not 
                   exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from 
                   the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering 
                   range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed 
                   with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the 
                   aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no 
                   more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering 
                   price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" 
                   table in the effective registration statement.
              
                                          -13-
<PAGE>





              
                             (iii) to include any material information with 
                   respect to the plan of distribution not previously 
                   disclosed in this registration statement or any material 
                   change to such information in this registration 
                   statement.
              
                        (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any 
              liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-
              effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration 
              statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the 
              offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to 
              be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
              
                        (3)  To remove from registration by means of 
              a post-effective amendment any of the securities being 
              registered which remain unsold at the termination of the 
              offering.
              
                   (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 
              that, for purposes of determining any liability under the 
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the 
              registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 
              section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, 
              where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's 
              annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities 
              Exchange Act of 1934), that is incorporated by reference in 
              this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new 
              registration statement relating to the securities offered 
              therein, and the offering of such securities at that time 
              shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
              
                   (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising 
              under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to 
              directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant 
              pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the 
              registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the 
              Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is 
              against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, 
              therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for 
              indemnification against such liabilities (other than the 
              payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a 
              director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in 
              the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is 
              asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in 
              connection with the securities being registered, the 
              registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the 
              matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a 
              court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such 
              indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed 
              in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of 
              such issue.


              
                                          -14-
<PAGE>





              <PAGE>
                                       SIGNATURES
              
                        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act 
              of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable 
              grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for 
              filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration 
              Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
              thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York, State of 
              New York, on the 11th day of October, 1996.
              
                                         ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
              
              
                                         By: /s/ John J. Burns, Jr.
                                            -------------------------------
                                              John J. Burns, Jr.
                                              President
              
              
                        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act 
              of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the 
              following persons in the capacities and on the dates 
              indicated.
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ John J. Burns, Jr.
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 John J. Burns, Jr.
                                                 President and Director
                                                 (principal executive
                                                 officer)
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ Dan R. Carmichael*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 Dan R. Carmichael
                                                 Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ David B. Cuming 
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 David B. Cuming
                                                 Senior Vice President
                                                 (principal financial
                                                 officer)
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ Allan P. Kirby, Jr.*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 Allan P. Kirby, Jr.
                                                 Director
              
              

              
                                          -15-
<PAGE>





              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ F.M. Kirby*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 F.M. Kirby
                                                 Chairman of the Board
                                                 and Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ William K. Lavin*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 William K. Lavin
                                                 Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11 1996        By: /s/ Roger Noall*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 Roger Noall
                                                 Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ Peter R. Sismondo 
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 Peter R. Sismondo
                                                 Vice President, Controller,
                                                 Treasurer and Assistant
                                                 Secretary (principal
                                                 accounting officer)
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ John E. Tobin*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 John E. Tobin
                                                 Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ James F. Will*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 James F. Will
                                                 Director
              
              
              Date:  October 11, 1996       By: /s/ Paul F. Woodberry*
                                               -------------------------------
                                                 Paul F. Woodberry
                                                 Director
              
              
              
                             *By: /s/ John J. Burns, Jr.
                                 -----------------------
                                  John J. Burns, Jr.
                                  Attorney-in-Fact
              


              
                                          -16-
<PAGE>





              <PAGE>
                                     INDEX TO EXHIBITS
              
              Exhibit Number          Description
              --------------          -----------
              
               2.1                    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 
                                      as of August 22, 1996, among Chicago 
                                      Title of Colorado, Inc. (the 
                                      "Company"), Alleghany Acquisition 
                                      Corporation, Alleghany and each of 
                                      the shareholders of the Company (the 
                                      "Merger Agreement").
              
               2.2                    List of Contents of Exhibits to the 
                                      Merger Agreement.
              
               3.1                    Restated Certificate of Incorporation 
                                      of Alleghany, as amended by Amendment 
                                      accepted and received for filing by 
                                      the Secretary of State of the State 
                                      of Delaware on June 23, 1988, filed 
                                      as Exhibit 20 to Alleghany's 
                                      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
                                      quarter ended June 30, 1988, is 
                                      incorporated herein by reference.
              
               3.2                    By-Laws of Alleghany, as amended 
                                      April 18, 1995, filed as Exhibit 3.1 
                                      to Alleghany's Quarterly Report on 
                                      Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
                                      31, 1995, are incorporated herein by 
                                      reference.
              
               5                      Opinion and Consent of Donovan 
                                      Leisure Newton & Irvine.
              
              23.1                    Consent of Donovan Leisure Newton & 
                                      Irvine (included in Exhibit 5 
                                      hereto).
              
              23.2                    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
              
              24                      Powers of Attorney.
              









              
                                          -17-
<PAGE>





              28                      Information from reports furnished to 
                                      state regulatory authorities by 
                                      Underwriters Reinsurance Company, 
                                      Commercial Underwriters Insurance 
                                      Company, and Underwriters Insurance 
                                      Company, filed as Exhibit 28 to 
                                      Alleghany's Annual Report on 
                                      Form 10-K for the year ended 
                                      December 31, 1995, is incorporated 
                                      herein by reference.
              











































              
                                          -18-











                                                                Exhibit 2.1
                                                                -----------
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
                              AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
              
                                          AMONG
              
                             CHICAGO TITLE OF COLORADO, INC.
              
                                    (THE "COMPANY"),
              
                           ALLEGHANY ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
              
                                 ALLEGHANY CORPORATION 
              
                                           AND
              
                             THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
                               DATED AS OF AUGUST 22, 1996
              
<PAGE>








              <PAGE>
                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                     -----------------
              
                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----
              
              ARTICLE I  The Merger...................................   1
              
              1.1.   The Merger.......................................   1
              1.2.   Pre-Closing and Closing..........................   2
              1.3.   Effective Time...................................   2
              1.4.   Employment and Consulting Agreements.............   2
              1.5.   Transfer of Surviving Corporation................   2
              
              ARTICLE II  The Surviving Corporation...................   3
              
              2.1.   The Articles of Incorporation....................   3
              2.2.   The Bylaws.......................................   3
              2.3.   Officers and Directors...........................   3
              
              ARTICLE III  Conversion of Shares in the Merger.........   3
              
              3.1.   Conversion of Shares.............................   3
              3.2.   Payment for Shares ..............................   6     
              
              ARTICLE IV  Representations and Warranties
                          of the Company and the Shareholders.........   7
              
              4.1.   Corporate Organization and Qualification.........   7
              4.2.   Authorized Capital...............................   7
              4.3.   Corporate Authority..............................   8
              4.4.   Compliance.......................................   9
              4.5.   Financial Statements.............................  10
              4.6.   Undisclosed Liabilities..........................  12
              4.7.   No Material Adverse Change.......................  12
              4.8.   No Dividends, Sale of Assets, etc................  12
              4.9.   Litigation.......................................  13
              4.10.  Tax Matters......................................  13
              4.11.  Assets...........................................  15
                     (a)   Material Agreements........................  15
                     (b)   Real Property..............................  15
                     (c)   Intangible Property........................  16
                     (d)   Investment Securities......................  16
                     (e)   Other Assets...............................  16
                     (f)   Title......................................  16
              4.12.  Benefit Plans....................................  17

              
              
              
                                           -2-
<PAGE>








              4.13.  Interests of Officers, Directors
                       and Shareholders...............................  19
              4.14.  Employees........................................  19
              4.15.  Banks ...........................................  20
              4.16.  Insurance........................................  20
              4.17.  Absence of Bank or Savings 
                       and Loan Status................................  20
              4.18.  Brokers and Finders..............................  20
              4.19.  Status of Shareholders...........................  21
              4.20.  Investment Representation........................  21
              4.21.  Shareholder Understandings.......................  22
              4.22.  Pooling..........................................  23
              4.23.  Aggregate Materiality............................  23
              4.24.  Disclosure; No Representations as to Earnings,
                       Client Relationships and Accounting after the
                       Pre-Closing Date...............................  23
              
              ARTICLE V  Representations and Warranties
                         of Alleghany and Newco.......................  23
              
              5.1.   Corporate Organization and Qualification.........  24
              5.2.   Authorized Capital...............................  24
              5.3.   Corporate Authority..............................  24
              5.4.   Compliance.......................................  25
              5.5.   Financial Statements.............................  25
              5.6.   Undisclosed Liabilities..........................  26
              5.7.   No Material Adverse Change.......................  26
              5.8.   Litigation.......................................  27
              5.9.   Brokers and Finders..............................  27
              5.10.  SEC Filings......................................  27
              5.11.  Aggregate Materiality............................  27
              5.12.  Disclosure.......................................  28
              5.13.  Transferee Approvals.............................  28
              
              ARTICLE VI  Conditions to the Obligations
                          of Alleghany and Newco......................  28
              
              6.1.   Compliance with Agreement........................  28
              6.2.   Representations and Warranties...................  28
              6.3.   Opinion of Counsel for the Company and
                       the Shareholders...............................  29
              6.4.   Approvals........................................  29
              
              ARTICLE VII  Conditions to the Obligations of the
                           Company and the Shareholders...............  29
              
              7.1.   Compliance with Agreement........................  29
              7.2.   Representations and Warranties...................  29
              
              
              
                                           -3-
<PAGE>








              7.3.   Opinion of Counsel for Alleghany and Newco.......  30 
              7.4.   Approvals........................................  30
              
              ARTICLE VIII  Covenants of the Company and
                            the Shareholders..........................  30
              
              8.1.   Covenants Pending the Closing....................  30
                     (a)   Access to Properties, Books and Records....  30
                     (b)   Carry On in Regular Course.................  31
                     (c)   Preservation of Organization...............  32
                     (d)   Financial Statements.......................  32
              8.2.   Filings and Approvals............................  32
              8.3.   Best Efforts.....................................  32
              8.4.   Further Assurances...............................  33
              8.5    No Competition; No Solicitation; No
                       Inducement; Confidentiality....................  33
              8.6.   Compliance with Securities Laws..................  35
              
              ARTICLE IX  Covenants of Alleghany and Newco............  35
              
              9.1.   Filings and Approvals............................  35
              9.2.   Best Efforts.....................................  35
              9.3.   Further Assurances...............................  35
              9.4.   Registration Rights..............................  36
                     (a)   Registration...............................  36
                     (b)   Effectiveness..............................  36
                     (c)   Expenses...................................  37
                     (d)   Shareholder Agreements.....................  37
                     (e)   Indemnification under this Section 9.4.....  37
              
              ARTICLE X  Covenants of the Shareholders and Alleghany
                         Relating to Certain Tax and Distribution 
                         Matters......................................  38
              
              10.1.  Pre-Merger and Straddle Period Taxes.............  39
              10.2.  Access to Information and Retention 
                       of Records.....................................  40
              10.3.  Section 338(h)(10) Election......................  40
                     (a)   Triggering Disposition.....................  40
                     (b)   Facilitation of Election...................  41
                     (c)   Allocation of Merger Consideration.........  41
                     (d)   Additional Taxes Due.......................  41
                     (e)   Notice of Disposed Merger Consideration;
                             Notice of Section 338(h)(10) Election....  42




              
              
              
                                           -4-
<PAGE>








              10.4.  Miscellaneous Tax Provisions.....................  42
                     (a)   Notice of Disposed Consideration...........  42
                     (b)   Absence of Tax Representations or 
                             Agreements...............................  42
                     (c)   Alleghany Representations..................  43
              10.5.  Distributions....................................  44
              
              ARTICLE XI  Indemnity...................................  47
              
              11.1.  By the Shareholders and the Company..............  47
              11.2.  By Alleghany and Newco...........................  48
              11.3.  Procedure........................................  48
              11.4.  Shareholders' Representative.....................  49
              11.5.  No Liability of Shareholders.....................  51
              
              ARTICLE XII  Miscellaneous Provisions...................  51
              
              12.1.  Termination......................................  51
              12.2.  Expenses.........................................  52
              12.3.  Notices..........................................  52
              12.4.  Entire Agreement; Amendment......................  53
              12.5.  Assignment.......................................  54
              12.6.  Survival of Representations, Warranties 
                       and Covenants..................................  54
              12.7.  Governing Law....................................  55
              12.8.  Counterparts.....................................  55
              12.9.  Headings.........................................  55
              12.10. Severability.....................................  55
              12.11  Pre-Closing and Closing Procedures...............  55
              


















              
              
              
                                           -5-
<PAGE>








              <PAGE>
                              AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                              ----------------------------
              
                        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), 
              dated as of August 22, 1996, among Chicago Title of Colorado, 
              Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Company"), Alleghany 
              Acquisition Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("Newco") 
              (the Company and Newco being the constituent corporations in 
              the Merger, as defined below), Alleghany Corporation, a 
              Delaware corporation and the owner of all of the issued and 
              outstanding shares of capital stock of Newco ("Alleghany"), 
              and each of the shareholders of the Company as listed in 
              Exhibit 4.2 hereto (the "Shareholders") (Alleghany and the 
              Shareholders joining as additional parties).
              
              
                                  W I T N E S S E T H :
                                  - - - - - - - - - -
              
                        WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Newco, the 
              Company and Alleghany have each determined that it is in the 
              best interests of their respective shareholders for the 
              Company to merge with and into Newco upon the terms and 
              subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
              
                        WHEREAS, the Company, Newco, Alleghany and the 
              Shareholders desire to make certain representations, 
              warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the 
              transactions contemplated hereby;
              
                        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises 
              and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set 
              forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
              
                                        ARTICLE I
              
                                       The Merger
              
                        1.1.  The Merger.  Subject to the terms and 
                              ----------
              conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as 
              defined in Section 1.3 hereof), Newco shall be merged with 
              and into the Company and the separate corporate existence of 
              Newco shall thereupon cease (the "Merger").  The Company 
              shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes 
              hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Corporation") and 
              shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of 
              
              
              
                                           -6-
<PAGE>








              Colorado, and the separate corporate existence of the Company 
              with all of its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and 
              franchises shall continue unaffected by the Merger.  The 
              Merger shall have the effects specified in the Colorado 
              Business Corporation Act (the "BCA").
              
                        1.2.  Pre-Closing and Closing.  In accordance with 
                              -----------------------
              Section 12.11 of this Agreement, a pre-closing shall take 
              place at the offices of Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, 30 
              Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112 at 10:00 a.m. on 
              or before August 28, 1996 or on such date as the Company and 
              Alleghany may otherwise agree.  The date of the Pre-Closing 
              is hereinafter referred to as the "Pre-Closing Date."  In 
              accordance with Section 12.11 of this Agreement, the closing 
              of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices 
              of Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine no later than thirty (30) 
              days after the Pre-Closing Date.  The date of the Closing is 
              hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date."  
              
                        1.3.  Effective Time.  At the Closing, the Company 
                              --------------
              and Alleghany will cause Articles of Merger, in the form set 
              forth in Exhibit 1.3 hereto (the "Colorado Articles of 
              Merger"), to be executed by the Constituent Corporations and 
              filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado as 
              provided in Section 7-111-105 of the BCA.  The Colorado 
              Articles of Merger shall specify that the Merger shall become 
              effective on the date on which the Colorado Articles of 
              Merger have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of 
              the State of Colorado, and such time is hereinafter referred 
              to as the "Effective Time."
              
                        1.4.  Employment and Consulting Agreements.  
                              ------------------------------------
              Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this 
              Agreement, an employment agreement in the form set forth as 
              Exhibit 1.4(a) hereto between the Company and Donald C. Ford 
              and a consulting agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit 
              1.4(b) hereto between the Company and Nancy A. Leprino shall 
              be executed and delivered by the parties thereto.
              
                        1.5.  Transfer of Surviving Corporation.  Subject 
                              ---------------------------------
              to Section 10.4(c) hereof, the Shareholders hereby 
              acknowledge that Alleghany shall have the right to and 
              intends to transfer, exchange or contribute the shares of the 
              capital stock of the Surviving Corporation to or with its 
              
              
              
                                           -7-
<PAGE>








              wholly owned subsidiary Chicago Title and Trust Company or a 
              subsidiary thereof (the "Transferee") after the Effective 
              Time.
              
              
                                       ARTICLE II
              
                                The Surviving Corporation
              
                        2.1.  The Articles of Incorporation.  The Articles 
                              -----------------------------
              of Incorporation of the Company (the "Articles") in effect 
              immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Articles 
              of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except that 
              such Articles shall be amended at and as of the Effective 
              Time as set forth in the Colorado Articles of Merger.  As so 
              amended, such Articles shall be the Articles of Incorporation 
              of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance 
              with the terms thereof and the BCA.
              
                        2.2.  The Bylaws.  The Bylaws of Newco (the 
                              ----------
              "Bylaws") in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time 
              shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until duly 
              amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the BCA.
              
                        2.3.  Officers and Directors.  The officers of the 
                              ----------------------
              Company and the directors of Newco (including any directors 
              elected or appointed at the Effective Time) immediately prior 
              to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective 
              Time, be the directors and officers, respectively, of the 
              Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly 
              elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier 
              death, resignation or removal in accordance with the 
              Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; 
              provided, however, that Mike A. Leprino and Nancy A. Leprino
              --------  -------
              shall cease to be officers of the Company from and after the 
              Effective Time.
              
              






              
              
              
                                           -8-
<PAGE>








                                       ARTICLE III
              
                           Conversion of Shares in the Merger
              
                        3.1.  Conversion of Shares.  The manner of 
                              --------------------
              converting shares of the Company and Newco in the Merger 
              shall be as follows:
              
                        (a)  At the Effective Time, each share of the 
              common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the 
              "Shares") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the 
              Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any 
              action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into 
              the right to receive, without interest, the number of shares 
              (the "Merger Consideration") of common stock, par value $1.00 
              per share, of Alleghany ("Alleghany Shares") determined 
              pursuant to this Section 3.1(a).  The number of Alleghany 
              Shares into which each Share shall be converted shall be 
              determined as follows:  $6,000,000 shall be divided by the 
              "Average Market Price" of an Alleghany Share as of the close 
              of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the date that is 
              five business days prior to the Pre-Closing Date (the 
              "Determination Date"), and that result shall then be divided 
              by 1,000 Shares to be outstanding immediately prior to the 
              Effective Time.  For purposes of this Agreement, the "Average 
              Market Price" of an Alleghany Share is the amount determined 
              by (i) adding the per share closing sale price (as reported 
              in The Wall Street Journal for New York Stock Exchange 
                 -----------------------
              Composite Transactions) for each business day during the 20 
              business day period ending on the Determination Date on which 
              there were any trades in Alleghany Shares, and (ii) dividing 
              the sum by 20 (reduced by the number of such business days 
              during which there were no trades in Alleghany Shares).  No 
              more than the number of Alleghany Shares required to convert 
              the Shares on the foregoing basis shall be issued at the 
              Effective Time.  Any fractional shares resulting from such 
              conversion to which the holder of Alleghany Shares otherwise 
              would be entitled shall not be issued but shall be paid in 
              cash.  The Merger Consideration shall be subject to 
              adjustment as follows:
              
                        (i)  If on or after the Determination Date and 
                   before the Effective Time Alleghany shall, on a pro rata 
                   basis, (A) declare or pay a dividend or make a 
                   distribution to holders of Alleghany Shares, 
                   (B) subdivide the outstanding Alleghany Shares into a 
              
              
              
                                           -9-
<PAGE>








                   greater number of shares, (C) combine the outstanding 
                   Alleghany Shares into a smaller number of shares, or 
                   (D) issue by reclassification of the outstanding 
                   Alleghany Shares any securities, the Merger 
                   Consideration shall be adjusted so that each Shareholder 
                   shall be entitled to receive the kind and number of 
                   shares of Alleghany Shares and/or other securities which 
                   he or she would have owned or been entitled to receive 
                   immediately following such action had the Effective Time 
                   occurred immediately prior thereto.  
              
                        (ii)  If on or after the Determination Date and 
                   before the Effective Time Alleghany shall distribute on 
                   a pro rata basis to holders of Alleghany Shares either 
                   (A) evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding cash 
                   dividends or distributions), or (B) any other securities 
                   of Alleghany or any rights, warrants, or options to 
                   subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire securities 
                   of Alleghany in a transaction not covered by 
                   subsection (i) above (any of which are referred to 
                   herein as "Other Securities"), then Alleghany shall 
                   reserve for the benefit of each Shareholder such amount 
                   of Other Securities as he or she would have owned or 
                   been entitled to receive immediately following such 
                   action had the Effective Time occurred immediately prior 
                   thereto.  In addition, from the Determination Date until 
                   the Effective Time Alleghany shall reserve for the 
                   benefit of each Shareholder any principal, interest, 
                   dividends or other property payable with respect to 
                   Other Securities as and when such interest, dividends or 
                   other property is distributed to the holders of 
                   Alleghany Shares.  If such a reserve is made, at the 
                   Effective Time each Shareholder shall be entitled to 
                   receive from Alleghany his or her share of Other 
                   Securities, together with the principal, interest, 
                   dividends or other property payable with respect 
                   thereto.  In the event that any of the actions set forth 
                   in Section 3.1(a)(i) hereof are taken with respect to 
                   the Other Securities on or before the Effective Time, 
                   then each Shareholder shall be entitled to receive the 
                   kind and number of shares of Other Securities and/or 
                   other securities which he or she would have owned or 
                   been entitled to receive immediately following such 
                   action had the Effective Time occurred immediately prior 
                   thereto.
              
              All Shares, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on 
              the part of the holders thereof, shall no longer be 
              
              
              
                                          -10-
<PAGE>








              outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall 
              cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing 
              any such Shares shall thereafter cease to have any rights 
              with respect to such Shares, except the right to receive the 
              Merger Consideration for such Shares in accordance with 
              Section 3.1 hereof upon the surrender of such certificate in 
              accordance with Section 3.2 hereof.
              
                        (b)  At the Effective Time, each share of the 
              common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Newco issued and 
              outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by 
              virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of 
              Newco or the holder of such shares, be converted into one 
              share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the 
              Surviving Corporation, which shall thereafter constitute the 
              only issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the 
              Surviving Corporation.
              
                        3.2.  Payment for Shares.  
                              ------------------
              
                        (a)  At the Effective Time, each registered holder 
              of a certificate or certificates representing Shares (a 
              "Holder") shall surrender to Alleghany such certificate or 
              certificates, and shall receive in exchange therefor a 
              certificate representing the number of full Alleghany Shares 
              into which the Shares represented by the surrendered 
              certificate or certificates shall have been converted, and 
              cash in lieu of any fractional shares to which the Holder 
              otherwise would be entitled.  
              
                        (b)  If any certificate or certificates which 
              immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Shares 
              are for any reason not surrendered at the Effective Time 
              pursuant to Section 3.2(a) hereof, such certificate or 
              certificates shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to 
              evidence ownership of the number of full Alleghany Shares 
              into which the Shares represented by such certificate or 
              certificates shall have been converted and cash in lieu of 
              any fractional Alleghany Shares.  No dividends or 
              distributions otherwise payable on such Alleghany Shares 
              after the Effective Time will be paid to a Holder until he or 
              she has surrendered his or her certificate or certificates 
              representing Shares, upon which surrender there shall be paid 
              to such Holder, but without interest thereon, all such 
              dividends and distributions.  No transfers shall be made on 
              the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation at the 

              
              
              
                                          -11-
<PAGE>








              Effective Time, except to Alleghany as provided in Section 
              3.1(b) hereof.
              
                        (c)  If a certificate for Alleghany Shares is to be 
              issued to a person other than the Holder of the certificate 
              surrendered, it shall be a condition of such issuance that 
              the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or 
              otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person 
              requesting such issuance shall pay any transfer or other 
              taxes required by reason of the issuance to a person other 
              than the Holder of the certificate surrendered or establish 
              to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such 
              tax has been paid or is not applicable.
              
                        (d)  None of Alleghany, Newco or the Company shall 
              be liable to any Holder for any Alleghany Shares transferred 
              or any amount paid to a public official pursuant to any 
              applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.  
              
              
                                       ARTICLE IV
              
                             Representations and Warranties
                           of the Company and the Shareholders
              
                        Each of the Company and the Shareholders jointly 
              and severally represents and warrants to Alleghany and Newco 
              as follows:
              
                        4.1.  Corporate Organization and Qualification.  
                              ----------------------------------------
              The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing 
              and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado 
              and is not qualified, and is not required to be qualified, to 
              do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction.  
              The Company does not own any equity interest in any entities 
              except as set forth in Exhibit 4.11(d).  The Company has the 
              requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its 
              business as it is now being conducted.  The Company has 
              delivered to Alleghany true and complete copies of its 
              Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, each as amended to 
              date, and each is in full force and effect.
              
                        4.2.  Authorized Capital.  The authorized capital 
                              ------------------
              stock of the Company consists of 1,200 shares of capital 
              stock, consisting of 1,000 Shares, which are issued and 
              outstanding and entitled to vote on the Merger, and 200 
              
              
              
                                          -12-
<PAGE>








              shares of non-voting preferred stock, par value $1,250.00 per 
              share, none of which are issued and outstanding and entitled 
              to vote on the Merger.  All of the issued and outstanding 
              Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued and 
              outstanding, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned 
              by the persons listed in Exhibit 4.2 hereto (in the amounts 
              so listed) free and clear of all liens, pledges, security 
              interests, claims and other encumbrances of any nature 
              whatsoever.  Except as set forth above, there are no shares 
              of capital stock of the Company authorized, issued or 
              outstanding, and there are no preemptive rights or any 
              outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, 
              convertible securities or other agreements or commitments of 
              any character relating to the issued or unissued capital 
              stock or other securities of the Company.  Exhibit 4.2 hereto 
              sets forth a list of all transactions in the Shares of the 
              Company since January 1, 1994.  Neither the Company nor any 
              of the Shareholders own any Alleghany Shares.  Neither the 
              Company nor any Shareholder is a party to any voting trust or 
              other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting 
              of the capital stock of the Company.  
              
                        4.3.  Corporate Authority.  Exhibit 4.3 hereto is a 
                              -------------------
              true and complete list of all material permits, approvals, 
              qualifications, filings, notices, consents or waiting periods 
              of third parties other than Transferee and its affiliates and 
              regulatory authorities which are required by the Company or 
              any of the Shareholders for the consummation of the 
              transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than the 
              filing of the Colorado Articles of Merger) and to permit the 
              continuation of the business of the Company as it is now 
              conducted (the "Company Approvals").  The Company has full 
              corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement 
              and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The 
              execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the 
              Company have been duly and validly authorized by all 
              necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, 
              including, without limitation, the effective written consent 
              of all of the Shareholders approving this Agreement pursuant 
              to Section 7-107-104 of the BCA.  A true and complete copy of 
              such consent is set forth in Exhibit 4.3 hereto.  This 
              Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation 
              of each of the Company and the Shareholders, enforceable 
              against it, him or her in accordance with its terms.  Neither 
              the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the 
              consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will 
              (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any 
              
              
              
                                          -13-
<PAGE>








              of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws 
              of the Company; (b) subject to the granting of the Company 
              Approvals and the accuracy of Section 5.13 hereof, conflict 
              with, result in a breach or violation of, result in a default 
              or loss of a material benefit under, or permit the 
              acceleration of any obligation under any provision of any 
              agreement, indenture, mortgage, lien, lease or other 
              instrument or restriction of any kind to which the Company or 
              any of the Shareholders is a party or by which any of their 
              assets or properties is otherwise bound; or (c) subject to 
              the granting of the Company Approvals, violate any order, 
              writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation 
              applicable to the Company or any of the Shareholders or any 
              of their assets or properties, the effect of which conflict, 
              breach, violation, default, loss or acceleration, 
              individually or in the aggregate, would have a material 
              adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), 
              earnings, assets, liabilities or business of the Company.  
              
                        4.4.  Compliance.
                              ----------
              
                        (a)  The Company is, and has been since October 24, 
              1988, in compliance with all laws, regulations and 
              requirements promulgated pursuant to such laws and 
              regulations applicable to the operation of its business 
              (including, without limitation, applicable insurance and 
              trust laws and regulations, the Employee Retirement Income 
              Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), equal employment 
              opportunity or other similar laws), with which the failure to 
              so comply would have a material adverse effect on the 
              condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of the Company.  
              
                        (b)  The Company is, and has been at all times 
              since October 24, 1988, duly licensed as a title insurance 
              agency to sell title insurance in the State of Colorado, such 
              license is in full force and effect, and the Company is not 
              required to be registered, licensed or qualified to sell 
              title insurance in any other jurisdiction.  Each officer, 
              director, shareholder, owner, or employee of the Company 
              required to be licensed as an insurance producer in the State 
              of Colorado is, and since the later of the date on which such 
              person was first required to be so licensed or the date on 
              which such person was first associated with the Company has 
              been, duly licensed as an insurance producer, and all such 
              licenses are in full force and effect.  The Company does not 
              conduct and has not conducted since October 24, 1988 any 
              
              
              
                                          -14-
<PAGE>








              insurance business other than the title insurance business in 
              the State of Colorado.  Since October 24, 1988, no proceeding 
              has been instituted to revoke, restrict or suspend the 
              license (or other qualification to conduct an insurance 
              business) of the Company in the State of Colorado nor, to the 
              best knowledge of the Company and the Shareholders, has any 
              threat of any action which could lead thereto occurred.
              
                        (c)  The Company is not an "investment company" 
              within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as 
              amended, and the Company is not required to be registered or 
              licensed as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act 
              of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
              
                        (d)  Since October 24, 1988, none of the following 
              has occurred or is currently pending:  (i) any investigative 
              or disciplinary proceedings by the Federal Trade Commission 
              or any other federal, state, local or self-regulatory 
              authority against the Company or any of its directors, 
              officers or employees other than (A) Colorado Division of 
              Insurance disciplinary claims which have been resolved in a 
              manner not having an adverse impact on the Company, (B) 
              proceedings resolved in the ordinary course of business which 
              involved isolated incidents of alleged noncompliance with 
              laws governing employment matters and in respect of which no 
              penalty, other than a nominal fine, was assessed against the 
              Company, and (C) a one time fine of approximately $8,000 
              assessed against the Company by the Colorado Division of 
              Insurance in respect of a certain distribution of pamphlets; 
              or (ii) the issuance of any consent judgments, decrees, cease 
              and desist or other orders, disqualifications, penalties 
              (other than the $8,000 assessment referred to above) or 
              special restrictions against the Company or any of its 
              directors, officers or employees (including, without 
              limitation, criminal convictions) relating to or affecting 
              the conduct of the business of the Company.
              
                        (e)  No Shareholder has been advised or has any 
              reasonable grounds to believe that the Company has lost any 
              client which generated revenues to the Company of more than 
              $50,000 for 1995.
              
                        (f)  With respect to the escrow accounts 
              administered by the Company:  
              
                        (i)  Since October 24, 1988, all accounts in which 
                   cash or securities are or have been held by the Company 
                   as escrow agent have been administered, and all other 
              
              
              
                                          -15-
<PAGE>








                   trust, fiduciary and closing services, including without 
                   limitation, the preparation of documents, deeds and 
                   other conveyancing documents, have been performed, in 
                   compliance with law, the terms of any written 
                   instructions, and the terms of any insured closing 
                   letter issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company on 
                   behalf of the Company; and
                   
                        (ii)  without limiting the representations set 
                   forth in Section 4.4(f)(i) hereof, the balances in all 
                   of the accounts in which cash or securities are held by 
                   the Company as escrow agent are as reflected on the 
                   books and records of the Company without any 
                   deficiencies.
              
                        4.5.  Financial Statements.
                              --------------------
              
                        (a)  The audited balance sheets of the Company 
              as at December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the related audited 
              statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for 
              the twelve months then ended (the "Annual Financial 
              Statements"), which heretofore have been delivered to 
              Alleghany, present fairly the financial position and results 
              of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the 
              periods indicated therein in accordance with generally 
              accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis 
              throughout the periods indicated, except as may otherwise be 
              specifically indicated in such financial statements.
              
                        (b)  The unaudited balance sheet of the Company as 
              at March 31, 1996 and the related unaudited statements of 
              income and retained earnings and cash flows for the three 
              months then ended, which heretofore have been delivered to 
              Alleghany, present fairly the financial position and results 
              of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the 
              periods indicated therein in accordance with generally 
              accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent 
              with the Annual Financial Statements.
              
                        (c)  The unaudited balance sheet of the Company as 
              at June 30, 1996 (the "June 30 Balance Sheet") and the 
              related unaudited statement of income (the "June 30 Income 
              Statement") and the related unaudited statements of retained 
              earnings and cash flows for the six months then ended, which 
              heretofore have been delivered to Alleghany, present fairly 
              the financial position and results of operations of the 
              Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein 
              
              
              
                                          -16-
<PAGE>








              in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
              applied on a basis consistent with the Annual Financial 
              Statements.
              
                        (d)  If available at the time that this Agreement 
              is executed, the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as at 
              July 31, 1996 (the "July 31 Balance Sheet") and the related 
              unaudited statement of income (the "July 31 Income 
              Statement") and the related unaudited statements of retained 
              earnings and cash flows for the seven months then ended, 
              which, if available, have heretofore been delivered to 
              Alleghany, present fairly the financial position and results 
              of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the 
              periods indicated therein in accordance with generally 
              accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent 
              with the Annual Financial Statements.
              
                        (e)  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to 
              the contrary, the Shareholders do not represent or warrant 
              the accuracy of any amounts due to Chicago Title Insurance 
              Company as reflected in the financial statements or other 
              documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement and shall have 
              no liability under any provision of this Agreement to the 
              extent that any such amounts are incorrect.
              
                        4.6.  Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed 
                              -----------------------
              on Exhibit 4.6 hereto and except for matters described in 
              Section 4.4(f) hereto or arising in connection with the 
              issuance by the Company of policies of title insurance, as at 
              December 31, 1995, the Company did not have any obligations 
              or liabilities of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, 
              contingent or otherwise, which, individually or in the 
              aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the 
              condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of the Company except as and to the 
              extent disclosed in the Annual Financial Statements.  Except 
              as disclosed on Exhibit 4.6 hereto and except for matters 
              described in Section 4.4(f) hereto or arising in connection 
              with the issuance by the Company of policies of title 
              insurance, since December 31, 1995, the Company has not 
              incurred or become subject to any obligations or liabilities 
              of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or 
              otherwise which, individually or in the aggregate, would have 
              a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or 
              otherwise), earnings, assets, liabilities or business of the 
              Company.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the 
              contrary, the Shareholders do not represent or warrant the 
              
              
              
                                          -17-
<PAGE>








              accuracy of any amounts due to Chicago Title Insurance 
              Company as reflected in the financial statements or other 
              documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement and shall have 
              no liability under any provision of this Agreement to the 
              extent that any such amounts are incorrect.
              
                        4.7.  No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 
                              --------------------------
              31, 1995, there has not been any material adverse change in 
              the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of the Company as reflected in the 
              Annual Financial Statements, whether or not arising from 
              transactions in the ordinary course of business, and none of 
              the Shareholders is aware of any fact or condition relating 
              to the business of the Company which any of them reasonably 
              believes might result in such a material adverse change after 
              the Closing Date.  
              
                        4.8.  No Dividends, Sale of Assets, etc.  Except 
                              ---------------------------------
              for dividends in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000 paid on 
              January 1, 1996, dividends in the aggregate amount of 
              $1,300,000 paid on April 12, 1996, and as permitted by 
              Section 10.5 hereof, since December 31, 1995, there has not 
              been any declaration, setting aside or payment of any 
              dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital 
              stock of the Company or direct or indirect redemption, 
              purchase or other acquisition by the Company of any such 
              stock; any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of 
              any material tangible or intangible asset; or any amendment, 
              termination or waiver of any right of substantial value 
              belonging to or held by the Company.
              
                        4.9.  Litigation.  Except as previously disclosed 
                              ----------
              to Chicago Title Insurance Company's General Claims Counsel, 
              there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims, 
              investigations or examinations pending or, to the best 
              knowledge of any Shareholder, threatened against the Company 
              or its businesses, properties or assets, at law or in equity, 
              before or by any federal, state, municipal or other 
              governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or 
              instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or before any private 
              arbitration panel, which, if adversely determined, would 
              result in a judgment of more than $25,000 or which would 
              otherwise, individually or in the aggregate, have a material 
              adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), 
              earnings, assets, liabilities or business of the Company.  
              
              
              
                                          -18-
<PAGE>








              
                        4.10  Tax Matters.
                              -----------
              
                        (a)  Since October 24, 1988, the Company (and any 
              corporation with regard to which the Company is a successor 
              in interest) has duly and timely filed (either separately or 
              on a consolidated or combined basis) with the appropriate 
              government agencies, all federal income tax returns and 
              reports and all state, local and foreign tax returns and re-
              ports due (or have timely obtained extensions of any returns 
              due for which extensions may be obtained) with respect to all 
              income, sales, property, corporate franchise and business 
              taxes, customs duties, and all other tax returns and reports 
              of each and every kind in any jurisdiction the filing of 
              which is necessary or required for the conduct of its 
              business (the "Tax Returns"), and the Tax Returns filed are 
              true, correct and complete in all material respects.  The 
              term "Taxes" as used in this Agreement shall mean all 
              federal, state, local or foreign taxes, assessments, 
              interest, penalties or deficiencies, duties, fees and other 
              governmental charges or impositions of each and every kind 
              whether assessed against or measured by properties, 
              occupation, assets, wages, purchases, transfers, payments, 
              sales, use, gross receipts, value added, business, capital 
              stock, surplus, income, franchise, license, accumulations or 
              otherwise, in each case whether disputed or not.
              
                        (b)  Since October 24, 1988, all Taxes imposed upon 
              or required to be collected or withheld by the Company have 
              been (i) properly and fully paid to the extent due and 
              payable, or properly and fully deposited to the extent 
              required to be collected or withheld and deposited, and (ii) 
              adequately reserved (in accordance with generally accepted 
              accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with that 
              of prior years) in the case of Taxes payable or anticipated 
              to be payable on account of the operations, acts or omissions 
              of the Company for any and all periods, or in the case of 
              Taxes collected or withheld and not yet deposited.  The 
              Company does not and will not have any liability, whether 
              direct, indirect, fixed or contingent, for any Taxes in 
              excess of the reserves for Taxes established on the books of 
              the Company as of the date hereof or, as to liabilities 
              accruing thereafter, as of the Closing Date.  The Company is 
              not delinquent in the payment of any Taxes, nor has the 
              Company requested any extension of time within which to pay 
              any Taxes, except to the extent that such Taxes have since 

              
              
              
                                          -19-
<PAGE>








              been paid.  There is no agreement, waiver or consent provid-
              ing for an extension of time with respect to the assessment 
              of any Tax or deficiency against the Company and no power of 
              attorney granted by the Company with respect to any Tax 
              matter is currently in force.  There is no claim or 
              deficiency for any Taxes which has been threatened or 
              asserted against the Company.  There is no action, suit, 
              proceeding, investigation, audit or claim now pending against 
              or with respect to the Company with regard to any Taxes, nor 
              is any claim for additional Taxes or assessment of Taxes 
              asserted by any such authority.
              
                        (c)  The Tax Returns of the Company have not been 
              examined by the Internal Revenue Service for any period 
              commencing on or after October 24, 1988.  Further, no state 
              of facts exists or has existed which would constitute grounds 
              for the assessment of any Tax liability for any period 
              commencing on or after October 24, 1988.  The Company has 
              provided Alleghany with true and complete copies of all 
              federal, state and local income tax returns constituting part 
              of the Tax Returns which relate to the conduct of the 
              business of the Company or any entity with regard to which 
              the Company is a successor in interest, as well as any 
              correspondence and agreements with the Internal Revenue 
              Service or such state or local authorities for the 
              jurisdictions in which such returns are filed for all periods 
              for which assessments are not barred by operation of the 
              relevant statute of limitations.
              
                        (d)  Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.10(d) hereto, 
              (i) no property of the Company is "tax-exempt use property" 
              within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code, nor 
              property that is being treated as owned by another person 
              pursuant to Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
              1954, as amended and in effect immediately prior to the en-
              actment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986; (ii) the Company is 
              not a "real property holding company" within the meaning of 
              Sections 897(c)(2) and 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code; 
              (iii) the Company is not a "target" or "target affiliate" as 
              a result of any transaction to which Section 338 of the Code 
              may apply; (iv) the Company is not a party to any tax sharing 
              agreement or tax indemnity agreement which would require the 
              Company to make any payment to any other person by reason of 
              any Tax imposed upon such person; (v) none of the 
              Shareholders is a "foreign person" within the meaning of 
              Section 1445 of the Code; and (vi) since October 24, 1988, 
              the Company has never been a member of an affiliated group of 
              corporations which filed a consolidated federal income tax 
              
              
              
                                          -20-
<PAGE>








              return or been included on any combined or consolidated Tax 
              Return.  
              
                        4.11.  Assets.
                               ------
              
                        (a)  Material Agreements.  Exhibit 4.11(a) hereto 
                             -------------------
              sets forth a true and complete list of all agreements to 
              which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and 
              which are material to the business of the Company except for 
              (i) agreements to which Chicago Title Insurance Company is a 
              party and (ii) leases for personal property with a remaining 
              term of less than three years and aggregate remaining 
              payments of less than $30,000.  Each such agreement is in 
              full force and effect, the Company is not in material breach, 
              violation or default thereunder, and none of the Shareholders 
              is aware of a material breach, violation or default 
              thereunder by any other parties thereto.  
              
                        (b)  Real Property.  Exhibit 4.11(b) hereto sets 
                             -------------
              forth a true and complete list of the lease for the office 
              space occupied by the Company at 1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 
              1200, Denver, Colorado and each other office occupied by or 
              storage area used by the Company (collectively, the 
              "Leases").  A true and complete copy of each of the Leases 
              has heretofore been delivered to Alleghany.  The Leases are 
              in full force and effect and there are no existing defaults 
              thereunder nor does there exist any event or condition which, 
              with notice or lapse of time or both, would give rise to a 
              default or constitute grounds for termination or re-entry 
              thereunder.  The Company does not own or lease any other real 
              property.  
              
                        (c)  Intangible Property.  Exhibit 4.11(c) hereto 
                             -------------------
              is a true and complete list of all copyrights, patents, 
              trademarks, trade names, logos, assumed or other names and 
              other intangible property rights owned or used by the Company 
              in its business.  Subject to the accuracy of Section 5.13 
              hereof, all such rights are valid, subsisting and in full 
              force and effect without interference by any other person.  
              Neither the Company nor any Shareholder has received any 
              notice with respect to any alleged infringement or unlawful 
              use of any intangible property right owned or alleged to be 
              owned by others.
              
              
              
              
                                          -21-
<PAGE>








                        (d)  Investment Securities.  Exhibit 4.11(d) hereto 
                             ---------------------
              sets forth a true and complete list of all securities owned 
              by the Company for its own account (the "Investment 
              Securities").  The acquisition and ownership of the 
              Investment Securities complied and complies in all material 
              respects with all applicable insurance, trust or other laws 
              and regulations.
              
                        (e)  Other Assets.  Exhibit 4.11(e) hereto sets 
                             ------------
              forth a true and complete list of all other assets (or 
              categories of assets) of the Company, including, without 
              limitation, client lists, books and records, insurance 
              policies, claims, memberships and licenses.
              
                        (f)  Title.  The Company has good and marketable 
                             -----
              title to all of its assets, free and clear of all liens, 
              security interests, pledges, agreements, claims, charges, 
              options, covenants, reservations, restrictions and encum-
              brances of any nature whatsoever.  All assets necessary for 
              the conduct of the business of the Company as currently 
              conducted are owned by or leased or licensed to it, and 
              neither any Shareholder nor any other person owns, or has any 
              rights whatsoever in, any such assets.  To the extent 
              applicable, such assets have been properly maintained and are 
              in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and 
              tear excepted. 
              
                        4.12.  Benefit Plans.
                               -------------
              
                        (a)  Exhibit 4.12 hereto sets forth a true and 
              complete list of all employee benefit plans, agreements, 
              commitments, practices or arrangements of any type, 
              maintained, sponsored or contributed to by the Company or by 
              any entity which is affiliated with the Company under
              Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 
              of ERISA ("ERISA Affiliate") for the benefit of any employee, 
              former employee, director or consultant of the Company or an 
              ERISA Affiliate, or with respect to which the Company or an 
              ERISA Affiliate has a liability, whether direct or indirect, 
              actual or contingent (the "Plans").  The Plans listed in 
              Exhibit 4.12 include each Plan that is an "employee benefit 
              plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (the "ERISA 
              Plans").  The Company does not have any express or implied 
              commitment to create, incur liability with respect to or 
              
              
              
                                          -22-
<PAGE>








              cause to exist any other employee benefit plan, agreement, 
              commitment, practice or arrangement, to enter into any 
              contract or agreement to provide compensation or benefits, or 
              to modify, change or terminate any of the Plans.  With 
              respect to each Plan, the Company will make available to 
              Alleghany true and complete copies of:
              
                        (i)  any and all plan texts and agreements, 
                   including amendments;
              
                        (ii)  all material employee communications 
                   (including summary plan descriptions or material 
                   modifications, if any);
              
                        (iii)  the two most recent annual reports and 
                   actuarial reports, if required under ERISA;
              
                        (iv)  the most recent determination letter received 
                   from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each 
                   Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the 
                   Code; and
              
                        (v)  any other material documents, including any 
                   applicable trust or other funding agreement and the 
                   latest financial statements thereof.
              
                        (b)  Since October 24, 1988, each Plan has been 
              operated and administered in accordance with its terms and 
              applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and the 
              Code.  All contributions, premiums and other payment 
              obligations required to be made to or in respect of any Plan 
              since October 24, 1988 have been made timely and have been 
              accrued on the consolidated financial statements of the 
              Company.  All contributions made or required to be made under 
              any Plan since October 24, 1988 meet the requirements for 
              deductibility under the Code.  There are no pending, 
              threatened, or anticipated claims (other than routine claims 
              for benefits) involving any Plan.  There are no unpaid 
              penalties, fines or judgments, whether or not past due, 
              involving any of the Plans.  All filings and submissions 
              required to be made by law since October 24, 1988 in respect 
              of any of the Plans have been made timely, to the appropriate 
              authority and were complete in all material respects.  All 
              amendments, changes or modifications to any of the Plans 
              since October 24, 1988 have been made in accordance with the 
              terms of such Plan and applicable law.  No Plan by its terms 
              requires the Company or an ERISA Affiliate to continue to 
              employ any employee, director or consultant.  Each Plan, in 
              
              
              
                                          -23-
<PAGE>








              whole or in part, may be amended, modified or terminated by 
              the Company without liability to itself except for benefits 
              accrued to the effective date of such termination.  
              
                        (c)  Each ERISA Plan intended to be "qualified" 
              within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has been 
              determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified 
              and each trust maintained thereunder has been determined by 
              the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from taxation under 
              Section 501(a) of the Code; no event has occurred since the 
              date of such determinations that would adversely affect such 
              qualification or tax exemption.  No breach of fiduciary duty 
              or prohibited transaction has occurred with respect to which 
              the Company or any ERISA Plan would be liable or otherwise 
              damaged.  All employee contributions under any ERISA Plan 
              have been made to such plan before becoming "plan assets" 
              under Department of Labor Regulation Section 2510.3-102.  
              
                        (d)  With respect to each Plan that provides 
              welfare benefits of the type described in Section 3(1) of 
              ERISA:  (i) no such plan provides medical or death benefits 
              with respect to employees, former employees, directors or 
              consultants of the Company beyond their termination of 
              employment, other than coverage mandated by Sections 601-608 
              of ERISA and 4980B(f) of the Code; (ii) each such plan has 
              been administered in compliance with Sections 601-608 of 
              ERISA where applicable and 4980B(f) of the Code where 
              applicable; and (iii) no such plan has reserves, assets, 
              surpluses or prepaid premiums.  
              
                        (e)  No Plan is (i) a "multiemployer pension plan" 
              within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, 
              (ii) a plan described in Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA, or 
              Section 413(c) of the Code, or (iii) a plan subject to 
              Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA.  Neither the 
              Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained, 
              sponsored or contributed to, or has ever had any liability 
              with respect to, any plan described in the immediately 
              preceding sentence.  
              
                        (f)  The consummation of the transactions 
              contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any 
              individual to severance pay, or (ii) accelerate the time of 
              payment, or increase the amount, of compensation due any 
              individual.  No payment made or contemplated under any of the 
              Plans constitutes an "excess parachute payment" within the 
              meaning of Section 280G of the Code.  
              
              
              
              
                                          -24-
<PAGE>








                        4.13.  Interests of Officers, Directors and
                               ------------------------------------
              Shareholders.  Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.13 hereto or 
              ------------
              as described in footnotes to any balance sheet of the Company 
              delivered pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof or related statement 
              of income and retained earnings and cash flows, and other 
              than in respect of salaries or amounts due in respect of 
              ordinary travel and business expenses and Benefit Plans, no 
              present officer, director or shareholder of the Company nor 
              any associate thereof has any agreement, loan or other 
              obligation outstanding with, to or from the Company or for 
              which the Company may be liable, or has any material interest 
              in any firm, person or entity with which the Company does 
              business.
              
                        4.14.  Employees.  Exhibit 4.14 hereto is a true 
                               ---------
              and complete list of all employees of the Company, their 
              employment dates and positions, whether any such employee has 
              a written agreement with the Company, and the current salary 
              of each such employee, and the salaries, incentive awards, 
              bonuses and other compensation paid to each such employee for 
              the year ended December 31, 1995 (shown separately).  Except 
              as set forth in Exhibit 4.14 hereto, since December 31, 1995, 
              the Company has not terminated or experienced the resignation 
              of any employee.  There are no collective bargaining 
              agreements relating to any employees of the Company.  Within 
              the last two years the Company has not experienced any work 
              stoppage or been the subject of any collective bargaining 
              agreement.
              
                        4.15.  Banks.  Exhibit 4.15 hereto is a true and 
                               -----
              complete list of all banks or other financial institutions in 
              which the Company has an account or a line of credit, showing 
              a description of each account or line of credit, or in which 
              the Company has a safe deposit box.
              
                        4.16.  Insurance.  Exhibit 4.16 hereto sets forth a 
                               ---------
              true and complete list of all policies of insurance 
              maintained by the Company, a copy of each of which has been 
              previously delivered to Alleghany.  Other than life insurance 
              policies, the insurance coverage provided by the policies of 
              insurance in force is reasonably adequate for the conduct of 
              the business conducted by the Company in accordance with 

              
              
              
                                          -25-
<PAGE>








              sound business practices and is not substantially different 
              from that which is customary in the industry.
              
                        4.17.  Absence of Bank or Savings and Loan Status.  
                               ------------------------------------------
              The Company (a) is not an "insured bank" or eligible for 
              federal deposit insurance within the meaning of the Federal 
              Deposit Insurance Act, as amended; (b) is not a "savings 
              association" for purposes of the Regulations for Savings and 
              Loan Holding Companies, 12 CFR    583-584 and the Regulations 
              for the Acquisition of Control of Savings Associations, 12 
              CFR   574; (c) does not accept deposits within the meaning of 
              12 U.S.C.   378; (d) is not a "bank" or a "bank holding 
              company," as such terms are defined in the Bank Holding 
              Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the regulations 
              promulgated thereunder (the "Bank Holding Company Act"); 
              (e) does not own or "control" 5 percent or more of the voting 
              securities of a "bank" or "bank holding company," as such 
              terms are defined in the Bank Holding Company Act; (f) is not 
              regulated as a bank under the laws or regulations of its 
              jurisdiction of incorporation; (g) is not a "savings and loan 
              holding company"; (h) does not "control" any "savings 
              association," as such terms are defined in 12 CFR    574 and 
              583; (i) has not acquired by purchase or otherwise, and does 
              not retain, more than 5 percent of the voting stock or shares 
              of a "savings association" or "savings and loan holding 
              company," as such terms are defined in 12 CFR   583; and 
              (j) is not regulated as a savings and loan institution under 
              the laws or regulations of its jurisdiction of incorporation.  
              
                        4.18.  Brokers and Finders.  None of the Company, 
                               -------------------
              any of its officers, directors or employees, or any 
              Shareholder has employed any broker or finder or incurred any 
              liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees 
              in connection with the transactions contemplated by this 
              Agreement.  
              
                        4.19.  Status of Shareholders.  Each Shareholder 
                               ----------------------
              represents that:  (a) except for Donald C. Ford, such 
              Shareholder is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of 
              Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities 
              Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); (b) such 
              Shareholder has such knowledge and experience in financial 
              and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the 
              merits and risks of such Shareholder's acquisition of 
              Alleghany Shares hereunder (c) such Shareholder has the 
              
              
              
                                          -26-
<PAGE>








              ability to bear the economic risks of such Shareholder's 
              acquisition hereunder, including a complete loss of his or 
              her investment in Alleghany Shares; (d) such Shareholder has 
              been furnished with and has had access to such information as 
              such Shareholder has considered necessary to make a 
              determination as to his or her acquisition hereunder 
              (including, without limitation, reports, statements and 
              schedules filed by Alleghany with the SEC and delivered 
              pursuant to Section 5.10 hereof); (e) such Shareholder has 
              had all questions asked by such Shareholder concerning the 
              operations of Alleghany and Newco answered by Alleghany and 
              Newco in a satisfactory manner; (f) such Shareholder has not 
              been offered the Alleghany Shares by any form of general 
              solicitation or general advertising, including, without 
              limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other 
              communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar 
              media or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar 
              or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general 
              solicitation or general advertising; and (g) such Shareholder 
              has not relied on any representations and warranties of 
              Alleghany and Newco other than those contained in this 
              Agreement.
              
                        4.20.  Investment Representation.  The Alleghany 
                               -------------------------
              Shares to be acquired by each Shareholder will be acquired by 
              such Shareholder for his or her own account for purposes of 
              investment and not with a view to distribution in a manner 
              which would be in violation of the Securities Act or the 
              securities or "blue sky" laws of any state or jurisdiction of 
              the United States, provided that any disposition of such 
              Shareholder's property shall at all times be within his or 
              her control.  Alleghany acknowledges that the Alleghany 
              Shares will be registered under the Securities Act pursuant 
              to Section 9.4 hereof and that a portion of such Alleghany 
              Shares may be sold upon such registration.  Each Shareholder 
              agrees that he or she will comply with all federal and state 
              securities or "blue sky" laws with respect to the Alleghany 
              Shares.  
              
                        4.21.  Shareholder Understandings.
                               --------------------------
              
                        (a)  Each Shareholder understands that the 
              Alleghany Shares to be acquired by the Shareholders have not 
              been registered under the Securities Act and may be 
              transferred only if so registered or if an exemption 
              therefrom is available.  Such Shareholder will not sell or 
              
              
              
                                          -27-
<PAGE>








              dispose of any of the Alleghany Shares without (i) the 
              registration, qualification, approval and listing of such 
              Alleghany Shares, or (ii) the delivery to Alleghany of an 
              opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably 
              satisfactory to counsel for Alleghany, that such proposed 
              sale or disposition is exempt from the provisions of Section 
              5 of the Securities Act and the applicable securities or 
              "blue sky" laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United 
              States.  
              
                        (b)  Until such time as, and unless, the 
              registration, qualification, approval and listing of the 
              Alleghany Shares are effective, such Shareholder understands 
              that the certificate for the Alleghany Shares received by him 
              or her pursuant to the Merger shall bear a legend to the 
              effect that the Alleghany Shares represented by such 
              certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act 
              and may not be transferred in the absence of such registra-
              tion or an exemption therefrom.  
              
                        (c)  Notwithstanding the effectiveness of such 
              registration, qualification, approval and listing of the 
              Alleghany Shares, such Shareholder understands that, until 
              the publication of Alleghany's consolidated financial 
              statements which include at least thirty days of post-Merger 
              operations, if such Shareholder is deemed an affiliate of the 
              Company for purposes of the conditions for the "pooling-of-
              interests" method of accounting for business transactions, in 
              accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16, 
              Business Combinations, the certificate for Alleghany Shares 
              ---------------------
              received by him or her pursuant to the Merger shall continue 
              to bear a legend to the effect that the Alleghany Shares 
              represented by such certificate may not be transferred; 
              provided, however, that, as long as the Closing takes place 
              --------  -------
              no later than November 30, 1996, the Alleghany Shares shall 
              not be restricted after April 1, 1997, and Alleghany shall 
              issue unrestricted certificates as soon as the conditions set 
              forth above expire but not later than April 1, 1997.  
              
                        4.22.  Pooling.  Since December 1, 1992, neither 
                               -------
              the Company nor any of the Shareholders has taken any of the 
              actions set forth in Exhibit 4.22 hereto.  The statements set 
              forth in the letter dated August 21, 1996 from the Company to 
              Chicago Title Insurance Company relating to the Company's 

              
              
              
                                          -28-
<PAGE>








              distributions, a copy of which is set forth in Exhibit 4.22 
              hereto, are true and correct.
              
                        4.23.  Aggregate Materiality.  There are no events, 
                               ---------------------
              situations, obligations or liabilities of the types described 
              in this Article IV and excepted therefrom solely because 
              individually they do not have a material adverse effect on 
              the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of the Company which, in the 
              aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the 
              condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of the Company.
              
                        4.24.  Disclosure; No Representations as to 
                               ------------------------------------
              Earnings, Client Relationships and Accounting after the 
              -------------------------------------------------------
              Pre-Closing Date.  The information provided by the Company 
              ----------------
              and the Shareholders in this Agreement and in the exhibits 
              and other documents delivered pursuant hereto does not 
              contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to 
              state herein or therein a material fact necessary to make the 
              statements made herein or therein, in light of the 
              circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.  
              Except for the extent to which the representations, 
              warranties, agreements and covenants of the Company and the 
              Shareholders set forth in this Agreement may bear on such 
              matters and without in any way limiting the scope of such 
              representations, warranties, agreements and covenants, the 
              Company and the Shareholders do not make any representations 
              or warranties as to (a) the earnings of the Company after the 
              Pre-Closing Date; (b) the continuation of client 
              relationships after the Pre-Closing Date; or (c) whether the 
              acquisition of the Company will qualify for the "pooling-of-
              interests" method of accounting for business transactions 
              referred to in Section 4.21(c) of this Agreement.
              
              
                                        ARTICLE V
              
                  Representations and Warranties of Alleghany and Newco
              
                        Each of Alleghany and Newco hereby jointly and 
              severally represents and warrants to the Company and the 
              Shareholders as follows:
              
              
              
              
                                          -29-
<PAGE>








                        5.1.  Corporate Organization and Qualification.  
                              ----------------------------------------
              Each of Alleghany and Newco is a corporation duly organized, 
              validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its 
              jurisdiction of incorporation and is in good standing as a 
              foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the properties 
              owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it 
              require such qualification and where the absence of which 
              would have a material adverse effect on the condition 
              (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, liabilities or 
              business of Alleghany and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.  
              Each of Alleghany and Newco has the requisite corporate power 
              and authority to carry on its business as it is now being 
              conducted.  Alleghany has delivered to the Company a true and 
              complete copy of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation 
              and By-Laws, and of Newco's Articles of Incorporation and 
              Bylaws, each as amended to date, and each is in full force 
              and effect.
              
                        5.2.  Authorized Capital.  The authorized capital 
                              ------------------
              stock of Alleghany consists of 22,000,000 Alleghany Shares, 
              of which 7,208,950 Alleghany Shares are issued and 
              outstanding as of the date hereof, and 8,000,000 shares of 
              preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, none of which are 
              issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.  All of the 
              issued and outstanding Alleghany Shares have been duly 
              authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and 
              nonassessable.  The authorized capital stock of Newco 
              consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per 
              share, all of which are issued and outstanding as of the date 
              hereof.  Such shares have been duly authorized and are 
              validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned 
              by Alleghany free and clear of all liens, pledges, security 
              interests, claims and other encumbrances of any nature 
              whatsoever.
              
                        5.3.  Corporate Authority.  Exhibit 5.3 hereto is
                              -------------------
              a true and complete list of all material permits, approvals, 
              qualifications, filings, consents or waiting periods of third 
              parties and regulatory authorities which are required by 
              Alleghany or Newco for the consummation of the transactions 
              contemplated by this Agreement (other than the filing of the 
              Colorado Articles of Merger) (the "Alleghany and Newco 
              Approvals").  Each of Alleghany and Newco has full corporate 
              power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to 
              consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The 
              
              
              
                                          -30-
<PAGE>








              execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by 
              Alleghany and Newco have been duly and validly authorized by 
              all necessary corporate action on the part of Alleghany and 
              Newco, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and 
              binding obligation of each of Alleghany and Newco, 
              enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.  Neither 
              the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the 
              consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will 
              (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any 
              of the provisions of Alleghany's Restated Certificate of 
              Incorporation or By-Laws or Newco's Articles of Incorporation 
              or Bylaws; (b) subject to the granting of the Alleghany and 
              Newco Approvals, conflict with, result in a breach or 
              violation of, result in a default or loss of a material 
              benefit under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation 
              under any provision of any agreement, indenture, mortgage, 
              lien, lease or other instrument or restriction of any kind to 
              which Alleghany or Newco is a party or by which any of their 
              respective assets or properties is otherwise bound; or (c) 
              subject to the granting of the Alleghany and Newco Approvals, 
              violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or 
              regulation applicable to Alleghany or Newco or any of their 
              respective assets or properties, the effect of which 
              conflict, breach, violation, default, loss or acceleration, 
              individually or in the aggregate, would have a material 
              adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), 
              earnings, assets, liabilities or business of Alleghany and 
              its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
              
                        5.4.  Compliance.  Each of Alleghany and Newco is 
                              ----------
              in compliance with all laws, regulations and requirements 
              applicable to the operation of its business, with which the 
              failure to so comply would have a material adverse effect on 
              the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of Alleghany and its subsidiaries 
              taken as a whole.
              
                        5.5.  Financial Statements.
                              --------------------
              
                        (a)  The audited consolidated balance sheets of 
              Alleghany and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 1995 and 
              1994 and the related audited consolidated statements of 
              earnings, changes in common stockholders' equity and cash 
              flows for each of the years then ended ("Alleghany's Annual 
              Financial Statements"), which heretofore have been delivered 
              to the Company, present fairly the consolidated financial 
              
              
              
                                          -31-
<PAGE>








              position and results of operations of Alleghany and its 
              subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated 
              therein in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
              principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the 
              periods indicated, except as may otherwise be specifically 
              indicated therein.
              
                        (b)  The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of 
              Alleghany as at June 30, 1996 and the related unaudited 
              consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the 
              three months then ended ("Alleghany's June 30, 1996 Financial 
              Statements"), which heretofore have been delivered to the 
              Company, present fairly the consolidated financial position 
              and results of operations of Alleghany and its subsidiaries 
              as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein in 
              accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
              applied on a basis consistent with Alleghany's Annual 
              Financial Statements, except as may otherwise be specifically 
              indicated therein.
              
                        5.6.  Undisclosed Liabilities.  As at December 31, 
                              -----------------------
              1995, Alleghany had no obligations or liabilities of any 
              nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, 
              which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a 
              material adverse effect on the condition (financial or 
              otherwise), earnings, assets, liabilities or business of 
              Alleghany and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except and 
              to the extent disclosed in Alleghany's Annual Financial 
              Statements as at December 31, 1995.  Since December 31, 1995, 
              Alleghany has not incurred or become subject to any 
              obligations or liabilities of any nature, whether absolute, 
              accrued, contingent or otherwise, which, individually or in 
              the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the 
              condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of Alleghany and its subsidiaries 
              taken as a whole, except and to the extent disclosed in 
              Alleghany's June 30, 1996 Financial Statements.  
              
                        5.7.  No Material Adverse Change.  Since 
                              --------------------------
              December 31, 1995, there has not been any material adverse 
              change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, 
              assets, liabilities or business of Alleghany and its 
              subsidiaries taken as a whole as reflected in Alleghany's 
              Annual Financial Statements as at December 31, 1995, whether 
              or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of 
              business, and Alleghany is not aware of any fact or condition 
              
              
              
                                          -32-
<PAGE>








              relating to its business which it reasonably believes might 
              result in such a material adverse change after the Closing 
              Date.  A fluctuation in the market value of Alleghany Shares 
              due to general market conditions shall not in and of itself 
              be deemed to be a material adverse change for purposes of 
              this Section 5.7.
              
                        5.8.  Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, 
                              ----------
              proceedings, claims, investigations or examinations pending 
              or, to the best knowledge of Alleghany, threatened against 
              Alleghany or its businesses, properties or assets, at law or 
              in equity, before or by any federal, state, municipal or 
              other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, 
              agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or before any 
              private arbitration panel, which, if adversely determined, 
              would have a material adverse effect on the condition 
              (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, liabilities or 
              business of Alleghany and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
              
                        5.9.  Brokers and Finders.  None of Alleghany, the 
                              -------------------
              Transferee or any of their officers, directors or employees 
              has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability 
              for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees in 
              connection with the transactions contemplated by this 
              Agreement.
              
                        5.10.  SEC Filings.
                               -----------
              
                        (a)  Alleghany has delivered to the Company and to 
              each Shareholder:  (i) its annual reports to stockholders for 
              the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994; its annual 
              reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 
              1995 and 1994; (ii) its proxy statements relating to the 
              meetings of the stockholders of Alleghany held April 26, 1996 
              and April 28, 1995; and (iii) all of its other reports, 
              statements, schedules and registration statements filed with 
              the SEC since December 31, 1995.  
              
                        (b)  As of its filing date, no such report or 
              statement filed pursuant to the Exchange Act contained any 
              untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a 
              material fact necessary in order to make the statements made 
              therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were 
              made, not misleading.  
              
              
              
              
                                          -33-
<PAGE>








                        5.11.  Aggregate Materiality.  There are no events, 
                               ---------------------
              situations, obligations or liabilities of the types described 
              in this Article V and excepted therefrom solely because 
              individually they do not have a material adverse effect on 
              the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, assets, 
              liabilities or business of Alleghany and its subsidiaries 
              taken as a whole which, in the aggregate, would have a 
              material adverse effect on the condition (financial or 
              otherwise), earnings, assets, liabilities or business of 
              Alleghany and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
              
                        5.12.  Disclosure.  The information provided by 
                               ----------
              Alleghany and Newco in this Agreement and in the exhibits and 
              other documents delivered pursuant hereto does not contain 
              any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state 
              herein or therein a material fact necessary to make the 
              statements made herein or therein, in light of the circum-
              stances under which they are made, not misleading.
              
                        5.13.  Transferee Approvals.  All permits, 
                               -------------------- 
              approvals, qualifications, filings, notices, consents or 
              waiting periods which are required by the Company from 
              Chicago Title Insurance Company or its affiliates for the 
              consummation of the transactions contemplated by this 
              Agreement have been given or waived; provided, however, that 
                                                   --------  -------
              this provision does not constitute a waiver of any obliga-
              tions to make payments under any agreements between the 
              Company and Chicago Title Insurance Company or its 
              affiliates.
              
              
                                       ARTICLE VI
              
                  Conditions to the Obligations of Alleghany and Newco
              
                        The obligations of each of Alleghany and Newco 
              under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or 
              before the Closing Date in accordance with the procedures set 
              forth in Section 12.11 of this Agreement, of each of the 
              following conditions:
              
                        6.1.  Compliance with Agreement.  The Company and 
                              -------------------------
              each Shareholder shall have performed and complied in all 
              
              
              
                                          -34-
<PAGE>








              material respects with all the terms, covenants and 
              conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or 
              complied with by it, him or her on or before the Closing 
              Date, and Alleghany and Newco shall have received from the 
              Company and each Shareholder the certificates required to be 
              delivered by it, him or her pursuant to Section 12.11 of this 
              Agreement.
              
                        6.2.  Representations and Warranties.  The 
                              ------------------------------
              representations and warranties made by the Company and each 
              Shareholder in this Agreement shall be true and correct in 
              all material respects (except that each of the representa-
              tions and warranties made by the Company and each Shareholder 
              which is qualified by materiality shall be true and correct 
              in all respects) as of the Closing Date, except for any 
              changes permitted by the terms hereof or consented to by 
              Alleghany and Newco, and Alleghany and Newco shall have 
              received from the Company and each Shareholder the 
              certificates required to be delivered by it, him or her 
              pursuant to Section 12.11 of this Agreement.
              
                        6.3.  Opinion of Counsel for the Company and the
                              ------------------------------------------
              Shareholders.  Alleghany and Newco shall have received an 
              ------------
              opinion from Lentz, Evans and King P.C., counsel for the 
              Company and the Shareholders, dated the Closing Date, 
              substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 6.3 hereto.
              
                        6.4.  Approvals.  All Company Approvals and all
                              ---------
              Alleghany and Newco Approvals shall have been obtained and be 
              in effect on the Closing Date; provided, however, that the 
                                             --------  -------
              Company Approvals required under the leases for the Arvada 
              and Colorado Springs offices need not be obtained.
              
              
                                       ARTICLE VII
              
                              Conditions to the Obligations
                           of the Company and the Shareholders
              
                        The obligations of the Company and the Shareholders 
              under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or 
              before the Closing Date in accordance with the procedures set 

              
              
              
                                          -35-
<PAGE>








              forth in Section 12.11 of this Agreement, of each of the 
              following conditions:
              
                        7.1.  Compliance with Agreement.  Each of Alleghany 
                              -------------------------
              and Newco shall have performed and complied in all material 
              respects with all the terms, covenants and conditions 
              required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with 
              by it on or before the Closing Date, and the Company and the 
              Shareholders shall have received from each of Alleghany and 
              Newco the certificates required to be delivered by them 
              pursuant to Section 12.11 of this Agreement.
              
                        7.2.  Representations and Warranties.  The 
                              ------------------------------
              representations and warranties made by Alleghany and Newco in 
              this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material 
              respects (except that each of the representations and 
              warranties made by Alleghany and Newco which is qualified by 
              materiality shall be true and correct in all respects) as of 
              the Closing Date except for any changes permitted by the 
              terms hereof or consented to by the Company and the 
              Shareholders, and the Company and the Shareholders shall have 
              received from each of Alleghany and Newco the certificates 
              required to be delivered by them pursuant to Section 12.11 of 
              this Agreement.
              
                        7.3.  Opinion of Counsel for Alleghany and Newco.  
                              ------------------------------------------
              The Company and the Shareholders shall have received an 
              opinion from Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, counsel for 
              Alleghany and Newco, dated the Closing Date, substantially in 
              the form set forth in Exhibit 7.3 hereto.
              
                        7.4.  Approvals.  All Company Approvals (except for 
                              ---------
              the Company Approvals required under the leases for the 
              Arvada and Colorado Springs offices) and all Alleghany and 
              Newco Approvals shall have been obtained and be in effect on 
              the Closing Date, and the Board of Directors of Alleghany 
              shall have approved the execution, delivery and performance 
              of this Agreement by Alleghany.
              
              




              
              
              
                                          -36-
<PAGE>








                                      ARTICLE VIII
              
                      Covenants of the Company and the Shareholders
              
                        8.1.  Covenants Pending the Closing.  From and 
                              -----------------------------
              after the date hereof and until the Closing Date:
              
                        (a)  Access to Properties, Books and Records.  The 
                             ---------------------------------------
              Company and the Shareholders shall afford or cause to be 
              afforded to Alleghany and to the attorneys, accountants 
              and other authorized representatives (collectively, 
              "Representatives") of Alleghany reasonable access during 
              normal business hours as often as they reasonably desire to 
              Donald C. Ford and Nancy A. Leprino and the Company and its 
              properties, books and records in order to afford Alleghany 
              the opportunity to make such investigations of the affairs of 
              the Company as it deems desirable.  In the event Alleghany 
              determines that in order to investigate reasonably defined 
              matters relating to the Company it desires access to 
              employees other than Donald C. Ford or Nancy A. Leprino, the 
              Company, the Shareholders and Alleghany shall mutually 
              identify employees who are knowledgeable about such matters 
              and Alleghany shall be afforded reasonable access during 
              normal business hours as often as they reasonably desire to 
              such employees.  The Company and the Shareholders shall also 
              furnish or cause to be furnished to Alleghany such 
              information relating to the business and affairs of the 
              Company as Alleghany shall from time to time reasonably 
              request.  Alleghany shall, and shall cause its attorneys, 
              accountants and other authorized representatives to, hold in 
              confidence information which is obtained from the Company or 
              the Shareholders and is not otherwise publicly available or 
              ascertainable; provided, however, that (i) any such 
                             --------  -------
              information may be disclosed to government officials pursuant 
              to a court order or similar legal compulsion after advising 
              the Company and the Shareholders of such requests for 
              disclosures and giving the Company and the Shareholders 
              reasonable opportunity to seek a protective order with 
              respect to such disclosure, and (ii) any such information may 
              be disclosed if the Shareholders consent to such disclosure 
              in writing.  In the event of any termination of this 
              Agreement pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof, Alleghany shall 
              return to the Company all materials obtained from the Company 
              containing information of a confidential or proprietary 
              nature, shall destroy all other materials which reflect or 
              
              
              
                                          -37-
<PAGE>








              contain any such information, and shall maintain the 
              confidentiality of information of a confidential or 
              proprietary nature which is obtained from the Company or the 
              Shareholders.
              
                        (b)  Carry On in Regular Course.  The Company shall 
                             --------------------------
              carry on its business diligently and substantially in the 
              same manner as presently being conducted and shall not make 
              or institute any material change in its methods of operations 
              or doing business; provided, however, that the Company shall 
                                 --------  -------
              not enter into, terminate, amend or renew (except for the 
              renewal of insurance policies that would otherwise expire 
              prior to the Closing) any agreement which is, or if in 
              existence as of the date hereof would have been required to 
              be, set forth on any exhibit delivered pursuant to Section 
              4.11 hereof, without the prior written consent of Alleghany.  
              Without the prior written consent of Alleghany, neither the 
              Company nor any of the Shareholders shall grant any bonuses 
              to any of the employees of the Company, alter or increase the 
              present compensation of such employees by an amount greater 
              than $3,000 on an annual basis, amend the current terms of 
              the Benefit Plans, make a loan or gift to any of the 
              Shareholders or employees of the Company or, except as 
              permitted by Section 10.5 hereof, declare, set aside or pay 
              any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital 
              stock of the Company or directly or indirectly redeem, 
              purchase or otherwise acquire any such stock.  No capital 
              expenditures shall be incurred or contracted for by or on 
              behalf of the Company in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate 
              prior to September 30, 1996 or $20,000 thereafter without the 
              prior written consent of Alleghany.  No sale, assignment, 
              transfer or other disposition of any material tangible or 
              intangible asset of the Company and no amendment, termination 
              or waiver of any right of substantial value belonging to or 
              held by the Company shall be made or contracted for by or on 
              behalf of the Company without the prior written consent of 
              Alleghany.
              
                        (c)  Preservation of Organization.  The Company 
                             ----------------------------
              shall maintain its corporate existence and powers in 
              Colorado.  The Company shall not amend its Articles of 
              Incorporation or By-laws without the prior written consent of 
              Alleghany, and the Company shall not make any change in its 


              
              
              
                                          -38-
<PAGE>








              authorized or issued capital stock; provided, however, that 
                                                  --------  -------
              the Company shall amend its By-laws immediately prior to the 
              Effective Time in any manner as Alleghany shall, in its sole 
              discretion, request.  Each of the Company and the 
              Shareholders shall use its, his or her best efforts to 
              (i) preserve intact the business organization of the Company, 
              (ii) keep available to Alleghany the present key officers and 
              employees of the Company other than Mike A. Leprino and Nancy 
              A. Leprino, (iii) preserve for Alleghany the relationships of 
              the Company with its clients, suppliers and others having 
              business relations with it, (iv) maintain all of the proper-
              ties of the Company in customary repair, order and condition, 
              and (v) take all steps reasonably necessary to maintain the 
              intangible assets of the Company.
              
                        (d)  Financial Statements.  The Company shall 
                             --------------------
              deliver to Alleghany as promptly as practicable, but in any 
              event within twenty days, after the end of each quarter, the 
              unaudited balance sheet of the Company and the related 
              statements of income and retained earnings for the period 
              then ended, which shall present fairly the financial position 
              and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and 
              for the periods indicated therein in accordance with 
              generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis 
              consistent with the Annual Financial Statements.
              
                        8.2.  Filings and Approvals.  Each of the Company 
                              ---------------------
              and the Shareholders shall duly make all regulatory filings 
              required to be made by it in respect of this Agreement or the 
              transactions contemplated hereby.
              
                        8.3.  Best Efforts.  Each of the Company and the 
                              ------------
              Shareholders agrees to use its, his or her reasonable best 
              efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, 
              including, without limitation, satisfaction of the conditions 
              set forth in Article VI hereof in accordance with the 
              procedures set forth in Section 12.11 of this Agreement.
              
                        8.4.  Further Assurances.  Each of the Shareholders 
                              ------------------
              agrees that he or she will, from time to time at and 
              subsequent to the Closing Date, at the request of Alleghany 
              and without further consideration, execute and deliver such 
              other instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer and 
              
              
              
                                          -39-
<PAGE>








              take such other actions as Alleghany may reasonably request 
              in order more effectively to consummate the transactions 
              contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, a 
              representation letter from the Company to KPMG Peat Marwick 
              LLP in the form set forth in Exhibit 8.4 hereto.  None of the 
              Shareholders will take any of the actions set forth in 
              Exhibit 8.4 hereto.
              
                        8.5.  No Competition; No Solicitation; No 
                              -----------------------------------
              Inducement; Confidentiality.
              ---------------------------
              
                        (a)  Each Shareholder agrees that for a period 
              commencing on the Closing Date and ending five years 
              thereafter he or she shall not, without the express prior 
              written consent of the Surviving Corporation:  
              
                        (i)  engage in the title insurance agency business 
                   of the type conducted currently by the Company (or 
                   conducted during the period commencing on the Closing 
                   Date and ending five years thereafter by the Surviving 
                   Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof), 
                   either directly, or as a consultant or advisor, or as a 
                   shareholder (other than as the holder of less than 5 
                   percent of the shares of any corporation whose shares 
                   are traded on a national securities exchange or over the 
                   counter) or partner, in direct competition with the 
                   Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate 
                   thereof within the counties in the State of Colorado 
                   listed on Exhibit 8.5; 
              
                        (ii)  for himself or herself, on behalf of any 
                   other person, firm or entity or in connection with any 
                   other person, firm or entity, approach, counsel or 
                   attempt to induce any employee of the Surviving 
                   Corporation to leave the employ of the Surviving 
                   Corporation or to terminate such engagement, or employ 
                   or attempt to employ, or engage or attempt to engage, 
                   any such person who at any time during the preceding 
                   twelve months was in the employ of the Company or the 
                   Surviving Corporation or engaged by the Company or the 
                   Surviving Corporation; or
              
                        (iii)  for himself or herself, on behalf of any 
                   other person, firm or entity or in conjunction with any 
                   other person, firm or entity (other than the Surviving 
                   Corporation) do business with, solicit, call upon, 
              
              
              
                                          -40-
<PAGE>








                   accept business from or engage in business with any 
                   person, firm or entity which is a customer of the 
                   Surviving Corporation on the Closing Date for the 
                   purpose of providing the same or similar services as 
                   that conducted by the Surviving Corporation as of the 
                   Closing Date or entered into by the Surviving 
                   Corporation after the Closing Date.
              
                        (b)  Each Shareholder agrees that he or she will 
              not at any time from and after the date hereof divulge, 
              furnish or make accessible to any person, or himself or 
              herself make use of any confidential information obtained by 
              him or her in respect of the Company, the Surviving 
              Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, 
              including, without limitation, information with respect to 
              any trade secrets, products, programs, methodologies, 
              finances, financial condition, organization, personnel, 
              business activities, budgets, plans or objectives of the 
              Company, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary or 
              affiliate thereof, and that, except for Donald C. Ford, he or 
              she will, prior to the Closing Date, return to the Company 
              all such information which has been reduced to written or 
              other physical form, and all copies thereof, in his or her 
              possession or custody or under his control; provided,
                                                          --------
              however, that (i) confidential information shall not include
              -------
              publicly available information or information known generally 
              to the public or in the industry, and (ii) a Shareholder may 
              disclose such information as may be required in connection 
              with any judicial or administrative proceeding or inquiry. 
              
                        (c)  In view of the geographic scope and nature of 
              the business in which the Company is, and the Surviving 
              Corporation will be, engaged, and recognizing the substantial 
              sums to be paid to the Shareholders pursuant to the terms 
              hereof, each Shareholder expressly acknowledges that the 
              restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 8.5, 
              including, without limitation, the geographic scope of such 
              covenants, are necessary in order to protect and maintain the 
              proprietary interests and other legitimate business interests 
              of the Surviving Corporation and that the enforcement of such 
              restrictive covenants will not prevent him or her from 
              earning a livelihood.  Each Shareholder also acknowledges 
              that the scope of the operations of the Company is, and the 
              Surviving Corporation will be, such that it is reasonable 
              that the restrictions set forth in this Section 8.5 are not 
              more limited as to geographic area than is set forth herein.  
              
              
              
                                          -41-
<PAGE>








              Each Shareholder further acknowledges that the remedy at law 
              for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 8.5 will 
              be inadequate and, accordingly, that Alleghany and the 
              Surviving Corporation shall, in addition to all other 
              available remedies (including, without limitation, seeking 
              such damages as it can show it has sustained by reason of 
              such breach), be entitled to injunctive relief.
              
                        (d)  The provisions of this Section 8.5 shall be 
              construed as independent covenants; and the existence of any 
              claim, demand, action or cause of action of a Shareholder 
              against any party hereto, whether predicated on this 
              Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the 
              enforcement of any of the covenants in this Section 8.5.
              
                        8.6.  Compliance with Securities Laws.  Each of the 
                              -------------------------------
              Shareholders agrees that he will comply with all federal and 
              state securities and "blue sky" laws with respect to the 
              Alleghany Shares.  
              
              
                                       ARTICLE IX
              
                            Covenants of Alleghany and Newco
              
                        9.1.  Filings and Approvals.  Each of Alleghany and 
                              ---------------------
              Newco shall duly make all regulatory filings required to be 
              made by it in respect of this Agreement or the transactions 
              contemplated hereby.
              
                        9.2.  Best Efforts.  Each of Alleghany and Newco 
                              ------------
              agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the 
              transactions contemplated hereby, including, without 
              limitation, satisfaction of the conditions set forth in 
              Article VII hereof in accordance with the procedures set 
              forth in Section 12.11 of this Agreement.
              
                        9.3.  Further Assurances.  Alleghany agrees that it 
                              ------------------
              will, from time to time at and subsequent to the Closing 
              Date, at the request of the Shareholders and without further 
              consideration, execute and deliver such other instruments of 
              conveyance, assignment and transfer and take such other 
              actions as the Shareholders may reasonably request in order 

              
              
              
                                          -42-
<PAGE>








              more effectively to consummate the transactions contemplated 
              hereby.
              
                        9.4.  Registration Rights.  
                              -------------------
              
                        (a)  Registration.  Subject to this Section 9.4(a), 
                             ------------
              Alleghany shall use its reasonable best efforts to file 
              within 30 days after the Closing Date a registration 
              statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act and agrees to 
              effect no earlier than the first day after the publication of 
              Alleghany's consolidated financial statements which include 
              at least thirty days of post-Merger operations, but in all 
              events no later than April 1, 1997 (provided that the Closing 
              takes place no later than September 30, 1996), (i) such 
              registration and/or qualification with, or the approval of, 
              any governmental authority under any federal or state 
              securities laws of all Alleghany Shares acquired by the 
              Shareholders under this Agreement, and (ii) the listing of 
              such Alleghany Shares with any domestic securities exchange 
              on which Alleghany's common stock is then listed, in each 
              case as may be required to permit the sale or other 
              disposition of such Alleghany Shares by the Shareholders.  
              Alleghany may, upon written notice to the Shareholders, defer 
              such registration for a reasonable period, but not in excess 
              of 90 days, if it has made a good faith determination that 
              the filing of a registration statement at such time would 
              require the disclosure of material information which 
              Alleghany has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as 
              confidential or that Alleghany is unable to comply with SEC 
              requirements.  Alleghany shall be under no obligation to 
              effect an underwritten offering of the Alleghany Shares.  
              Alleghany shall not be required to effect more than one 
              registration pursuant to this Section 9.4(a).
              
                        (b)  Effectiveness.  Alleghany shall keep effective 
                             -------------
              and maintain any registration, qualification, approval or 
              listing of the Alleghany Shares required pursuant to this 
              Section 9.4, and from time to time to amend or supplement the 
              prospectus used in connection therewith to the extent 
              necessary in order to comply with applicable federal and 
              state securities laws, until the earlier of the date on which 
              all of the Alleghany Shares covered by the registration 
              statement have been sold by the Shareholders or two years 
              after the effectiveness of such registration statement.  
              Alleghany shall furnish to each Shareholder such number of 
              
              
              
                                          -43-
<PAGE>








              copies of such prospectus, as amended from time to time, and 
              supplements thereto, as such Shareholder may reasonably 
              request.
              
                        (c)  Expenses.  All expenses incident to the 
                             --------
              obligations of Alleghany under Sections 9.4(a) and 9.4(b) 
              hereof (including, without limitation, registration fees, 
              printing or document reproduction expenses, and fees and 
              expenses of its counsel and accountants) shall be borne by 
              Alleghany, and all other expenses incident to the disposition 
              by each Shareholder of the Alleghany Shares held by him or 
              her (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of his 
              or her counsel and all underwriting discounts, if any, 
              brokerage commissions and similar fees) shall be borne by 
              such Shareholder.
              
                        (d)  Shareholder Agreements.  Each Shareholder 
                             ----------------------
              shall (i) furnish to Alleghany such information as Alleghany 
              may from time to time reasonably request in connection with 
              the registration statement and prospectus, any amendment or 
              supplement thereto or any other filings required by this 
              Section 9.4; (ii) from and after the Closing Date and for so 
              long as the registration, qualification, approval or listing 
              remains effective, promptly after the sale or any other 
              disposition by him or her of Alleghany Shares, give Alleghany 
              written notice of same; (iii) promptly notify Alleghany of 
              any event which comes to his or her attention which would 
              necessitate an amendment or supplement to the registration 
              statement, prospectus or any of the other filings required by 
              this Section 9.4; and (iv) suspend sales of Alleghany Shares 
              under such registration statement promptly upon receipt of 
              notice from Alleghany that such sales may not be made until 
              such registration statement and prospectus are amended or 
              supplemented as necessary, provided that Alleghany do so as 
              expeditiously as possible.
              
                        (e)  Indemnification under this Section 9.4. 
                             --------------------------------------
              
                        (i)  Alleghany agrees to indemnify, to the extent 
                   permitted by law, the Shareholders and hold them 
                   harmless at all times after the date of this Agreement 
                   from and against and in respect of any and all 
                   liabilities, losses, damages, settlements, claims, costs 
                   or expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys' 
                   fees (collectively, "Liabilities"), under the Securities 
              
              
              
                                          -44-
<PAGE>








                   Act, state securities laws, common law or otherwise, 
                   arising out of or due to (A) any untrue statement or 
                   alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in 
                   any registration statement or prospectus relating to the 
                   registration or qualification of the Alleghany Shares, 
                   or (B) any omission or alleged omission to state in such 
                   registration statement or prospectus a material fact 
                   required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
                   statements therein, in light of the circumstances under 
                   which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as 
                   such Liabilities arise out of or are due to any untrue 
                   statement of a material fact contained in, or omission 
                   of a material fact from, information furnished in 
                   writing to Alleghany by the Shareholders expressly for 
                   use in such registration statement or prospectus.  If 
                   the offering pursuant to this Section 9.4 is made 
                   through underwriters, Alleghany agrees to enter into an 
                   underwriting agreement in customary form with such 
                   underwriters and to indemnify such underwriters to the 
                   same extent as provided above with respect to the 
                   indemnification of the Shareholders.  
              
                        (ii)  The Shareholders jointly and severally agree 
                   to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, Alleghany, 
                   its directors and officers and each person, if any, who 
                   controls Alleghany within the meaning of Section 15 of 
                   the Securities Act and hold them harmless at all times 
                   after the date of this Agreement from and against and in 
                   respect of any and all Liabilities under the Securities 
                   Act, state securities laws, common law or otherwise, 
                   arising out of or due to (A) any untrue statement or 
                   alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in 
                   any registration statement or prospectus relating to the 
                   registration or qualification of the Alleghany Shares, 
                   or (B) any omission or alleged omission to state in such 
                   registration statement or prospectus a material fact 
                   required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
                   statements therein, in light of the circumstances under 
                   which they were made, not misleading, but only to the 
                   extent that such Liabilities arise out of or are due to 
                   any untrue statement of a material fact contained in, or 
                   omission of a material fact from, information furnished 
                   in writing to Alleghany by the Shareholders expressly 
                   for use in such registration statement or prospectus.
              
                        (iii)  The procedures to be followed in connection 
                   with the rights of indemnification provided in this 
                   Section 9.4(e) are set forth in Section 11.3 hereof.
              
              
              
                                          -45-
<PAGE>








              
              
                                        ARTICLE X
              
                       Covenants of the Shareholders and Alleghany
                    Relating to Certain Tax and Distribution Matters
              
                        10.1.  Pre-Merger and Straddle Period Taxes.
                               ------------------------------------
              
                        (a)  The Company, at its cost or expense, shall 
              prepare or cause to be prepared, and file or cause to be 
              filed, on a timely basis, each of the income Tax Returns of 
              the Company (including any amendments thereto) in respect of 
              (a) the taxable period beginning January 1, 1996 and ending 
              on the day before the Effective Time (the "Pre-Merger 
              Period"), and (b) the taxable period consisting of the day of 
              the Effective Time (the "One-Day Period").  The Shareholders 
              shall pay, or cause to be paid, all income Taxes in respect 
              of the Pre-Merger Period, and the Company shall pay, or cause 
              to be paid, all income Taxes in respect of the One-Day 
              Period. 
              
                        (b)  The Tax Returns for each of the Pre-Merger 
              Period and the One-Day Period shall be prepared on the basis 
              of the Company's normal tax accounting method and shall be 
              consistent with the preparation of the Pre-Closing Date 
              Balance Sheet (as hereinafter defined).  In furtherance 
              thereof, the Shareholders and Alleghany each agree to make 
              the election provided by Section 1362(e)(3) of the Code and 
              each further agrees to execute and deliver to the Company (at 
              least 30 days prior to the due date for filing (determined 
              without any extensions) for each of the Pre-Merger Period and 
              One-Day Period income Tax Returns) the statement required by 
              Treasury Regulation Section 1.1362-6(b).  The Pre-Merger and 
              One-Day Period income Tax Returns shall otherwise be prepared 
              in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Company 
              and, in any event, as to which there shall be "substantial 
              authority" (within the meaning of Section 6662(d)(2)(B)(i) of 
              the Code) as to the treatment of any item shown on such Tax 
              Returns.  The Company shall furnish a copy of each such Tax 
              Return to Alleghany at least thirty days prior to the due 
              date (determined without any extensions) for the filing 
              thereof so that Alleghany may satisfy itself that such Tax 
              Return was prepared in compliance with the foregoing 
              sentence.  In the event that Alleghany determines that there 
              is not "substantial authority" for the treatment of any item 
              on any such Tax Return, such Tax Return shall not be filed 
              
              
              
                                          -46-
<PAGE>








              until the Company and Alleghany mutually agree as to the 
              treatment of any such item.   
              
                        (c)  All transfer, gains, stamp, recording or other 
              similar Taxes incurred in connection with the transactions 
              contemplated by this Agreement, including any interest, pen-
              alties, fines, assessments or additions to tax, whether dis-
              puted or not, imposed in respect of the foregoing, will be 
              borne by the Shareholders.  The Shareholders will, at their 
              own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other docu-
              mentation with respect to all such transfer Taxes as required 
              by applicable law, and assume all responsibility for filing 
              such Tax Returns and documentation on an accurate, complete 
              and timely basis.  Alleghany, as appropriate, will join in 
              the execution of any such Tax Return or other documentation.
              
                        10.2.  Access to Information and Retention of
                               --------------------------------------
              Records.
              -------
              
                        (a)  Each of the Shareholders and Alleghany will 
              provide the other, and Alleghany, after the Closing, shall 
              cause the Surviving Corporation to provide the Shareholders, 
              at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, access to, 
              and a right to copy and use where appropriate, any records or 
              information and personnel which may be relevant for the 
              taxable period for which the requesting party is charged with 
              payment responsibility for Taxes under this Agreement in 
              connection with the preparation of any Tax Returns, any audit 
              or other examination, the filing of any claim for a refund of 
              Tax or for the allowance of any Tax credit, or any judicial 
              or administrative proceedings relating to liability for 
              Taxes.  The party requesting assistance hereunder shall 
              reimburse the other party for reasonable out-of-pocket 
              expenses incurred in providing such assistance.  Any 
              information obtained pursuant to this Section 10.2(a) shall 
              be held in strict confidence and shall be used solely in 
              connection with the reason for which it was requested.
              
                        (b)  The Shareholders shall promptly forward to 
              Alleghany, and Alleghany shall promptly forward to the 
              Shareholders' Representative (as defined below), all written 
              notifications and other written communications received by 
              the Shareholders or Alleghany, respectively, relating to any 
              liability for Taxes for a taxable period, including the One-
              Day Period, for which the Shareholders or Alleghany, as the 

              
              
              
                                          -47-
<PAGE>








              case may be, are or is charged with payment responsibility 
              under this Agreement.  
              
                        10.3.  Section 338(h)(10) Election.  
                               ---------------------------
              
                        (a)  Triggering Disposition. If the Shareholders 
                             ----------------------
              dispose of, in the aggregate, more than fifty percent of the 
              Alleghany Shares received pursuant to Article III of this 
              Agreement within eight months after the Closing Date (a 
              "Triggering Disposition"), the Shareholders shall give 
              Alleghany and Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, as escrow 
              agents, written notice of such Triggering Disposition and, at 
              the request of Alleghany, each of the Shareholders shall join 
              with Alleghany in making an election under Section 338(h)(10) 
              of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (a 
              "Section 338(h)(10) Election") with respect to the Company.  
              
                        (b)  Facilitation of Election.  To facilitate the 
                             ------------------------
              timely filing of any Section 338(h)(10) Election, at the 
              Closing each Shareholder agrees to execute and deliver to 
              Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, as escrow agent, Internal 
              Revenue Service Form 8023-A, Corporate Qualified Stock
                                           -------------------------
              Purchases, prepared by Alleghany, for the Company.  The 
              ---------
              escrow agent shall not release Form 8023-A to Alleghany until 
              such time as the Shareholders have notified Alleghany and the 
              escrow agent that a Triggering Disposition has occurred 
              pursuant to Section 10.3(a) hereof.  The escrow agent shall 
              deliver Form 8023-A to the Shareholders following the 
              expiration of the eight-month period referenced in Section 
              10.3(a) hereof.
              
                        (c)  Allocation of Merger Consideration.  Alleghany 
                             ----------------------------------
              and the Shareholders agree that, if Alleghany makes a Section 
              338(h)(10) Election upon a Triggering Disposition, the Merger 
              Consideration and the liabilities of the Company (plus other 
              relevant items) shall be allocated to the assets of the 
              Company for all Tax purposes in a manner consistent with the 
              Treasury Regulations under Section 338 of the Code and on the 
              basis of the fair market values as reasonably determined by 
              Alleghany, provided that the fair market value as so 
              determined shall not be less than the tax basis thereof on 
              the Closing Date and that, in the event Alleghany determines 
              
              
              
                                          -48-
<PAGE>








              to allocate Merger Consideration to assets described in 
              Section 1245 or Section 1250 of the Code, or assets the sale 
              of which at a gain would produce ordinary income, in excess 
              of the tax basis of such assets, the fair market value of 
              such assets shall be determined by the mutual agreement of 
              Alleghany and the Shareholders.  Alleghany, the Company and 
              each of the Shareholders agree that each shall file all Tax 
              Returns (including amended returns and claims for refund) and 
              information reports for the Company in a manner consistent 
              with such election and such values.
              
                        (d)  Additional Taxes Due.  Any additional Taxes 
                             --------------------
              imposed upon the Company by reason of the Section 338(h)(10) 
              Election shall be paid by the Company.
              
                        (e)  Notice of Disposed Merger Consideration;
                             ----------------------------------------
              Notice of Section 338(h)(10) Election.  If any Shareholder 
              -------------------------------------
              disposes of any Alleghany Shares within eight months after 
              the Closing Date, such Shareholder shall promptly (and, in 
              the case of any disposition occurring more than six months 
              after the Closing Date in no event later than five days after 
              such disposition) notify Alleghany of such disposition, which 
              notice shall include the number of Alleghany Shares disposed 
              of.  If Alleghany makes a Section 338(h)(10) Election upon a 
              Triggering Disposition, Alleghany shall promptly notify the 
              affected Shareholders of such election.  
              
                        10.4.  Miscellaneous Tax Provisions.
                               ----------------------------
              
                        (a)  Notice of Disposed Consideration.  If any 
                             --------------------------------
              Shareholder disposes of any Alleghany Shares within two years 
              after the Closing Date, such Shareholder shall promptly 
              notify Alleghany of such disposition, which notice shall 
              include the number of Alleghany Shares disposed of.
              
                        (b)  Absence of Tax Representations or Agreements.
                             --------------------------------------------
              
                        (i)  Except as set forth in Section 10.4(c) below, 
                   Alleghany makes no representations or warranties with 
                   respect to the income Tax consequences of the 
                   transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the 
                   effect thereon of, or any agreements as to any 
              
              
              
                                          -49-
<PAGE>








                   restrictions on, any transactions involving the Company 
                   (or its assets) after the Closing Date.  Further, 
                   nothing contained herein shall be construed or 
                   interpreted to impose any liability or obligation upon 
                   Alleghany, Newco and/or any Transferee for any Taxes 
                   imposed upon any Shareholder by reason of any of the 
                   transactions contemplated by this Agreement except upon 
                   breach of Section 10.4(c) hereof.
              
                        (ii) The Shareholders make no representations or 
                   warranties with respect to the income Tax consequences 
                   of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or 
                   the effect thereon of or, except as expressly set forth 
                   in this Agreement, any agreements as to any restrictions 
                   on, any transactions involving the Alleghany Shares 
                   after the Closing Date.  Further, except as expressly 
                   set forth in this Agreement, nothing contained herein 
                   shall be construed or interpreted to impose any 
                   liability or obligation upon the Shareholders for any 
                   Taxes imposed upon Alleghany, Newco and/or any 
                   Transferee by reason of any of the transactions 
                   contemplated by this Agreement.
              
                        (c)  Alleghany Representations.  Solely for 
                             -------------------------
              purposes of permitting each of the Shareholders to determine 
              the income Tax consequences to them of the Merger, Alleghany 
              represents to the Shareholders that:
              
                        (i)  At the Effective Time, Alleghany will have no 
                   plan or intention to reacquire any of the Alleghany 
                   Shares issued in the Merger to the Shareholders.
              
                        (ii)  Following the Merger, the Surviving 
                   Corporation will continue the historic business of the 
                   Company or use a significant portion of the Company's 
                   historic business assets in a business (as contemplated 
                   by Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(d)).
              
                        (iii)  Immediately prior to the Merger, Alleghany 
                   will be in control of Newco (within the meaning of 
                   Section 368(c) of the Code).
              
                        (iv)  Immediately following the Merger, the 
                   Surviving Corporation will not issue additional shares 
                   of its stock that would result in Alleghany losing 
                   control of the Surviving Corporation (within the meaning 
                   of Section 368(c) of the Code).
              
              
              
              
                                          -50-
<PAGE>








                        (v)  At the Effective Time, Alleghany will have no 
                   plan or intention to liquidate the Surviving 
                   Corporation; to merge the Surviving Corporation with and 
                   into another corporation; to sell or otherwise dispose 
                   of the stock of the Surviving Corporation for a period 
                   of two years after the Effective Time, except for any 
                   transfer of the stock of the Surviving Corporation to a 
                   corporation which is controlled (within the meaning of 
                   Section 368(c) of the Code) by Alleghany or to a 
                   corporation controlled (within the meaning of Section 
                   368(c) of the Code) by a corporation which is controlled 
                   (within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code) by 
                   Alleghany; or to cause the Surviving Corporation to sell 
                   or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or any of the 
                   assets acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions 
                   made in the ordinary course of business.  
              
                        (vi)  Immediately prior to the Merger, Newco will 
                   not constitute an investment company (as defined in 
                   Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code).
                   
                        (vii)  At the Effective Time, Newco will have no 
                   liabilities other than those arising under this 
                   Agreement.
              
                        (d)  In the event that the United States Tax Court 
              shall render a final decision (as such term is used in 
              Section 7481(a) of the Code), or in the event that a District 
              Court of the United States or the United States Court of 
              Federal Claims shall make a final decision determining the 
              Federal income tax consequences to one or more of the 
              Shareholders of the Merger, and such decision becomes final 
              (including any appeals) holding that any representation in 
              Section 10.4(c) hereof was not true at the time provided for 
              in the representation, then such factual determination that 
              the representation in Section 10.4(c) hereof was not true 
              shall be binding upon Alleghany in any subsequent proceeding 
              with the Shareholders; provided that:  (1) counsel 
              representing the Shareholders in the proceeding before the 
              Tax Court, the District Court or the Court of Claims 
              (including in any appeals therefrom) was a law firm 
              experienced in such matters and reasonably acceptable to 
              Alleghany, and (2) (A) such counsel acknowledged in writing 
              that such counsel also represented the interests of Alleghany 
              to be determined in such proceeding, and Alleghany was given 
              the opportunity to consult with and make recommendations to 
              such counsel in the conduct of such proceeding or (B) 
              Alleghany was given the opportunity by the Shareholders in 
              
              
              
                                          -51-
<PAGE>








              writing to control the handling by such counsel in such 
              proceeding of the issues relating to the representations in 
              Section 10.4(c) hereof.
              
                        10.5.  Distributions.
                               -------------
              
                        (a)  Before the Effective Time but not before the 
              completion of the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet and the 
              resolution of any disagreements with respect thereto, the 
              Company may declare and pay to the Shareholders distributions 
              in an amount equal to the Tax Distribution and in an 
              aggregate amount equal to the Earnings Distribution (each as 
              defined below).  
              
                        (b)  The Tax Distribution shall be an amount equal 
              to the aggregate Federal and Colorado income Taxes estimated 
              to be imposed on each Shareholder computed using a combined, 
              aggregate tax rate of 43.808 percent, by reason of the 
              inclusion in each Shareholder's taxable income for 1996 of 
              (x) the Shareholder's pro rata share of the Company's 
              estimated items of income, loss, deduction or credit for its 
              taxable period beginning on January 1, 1996 and ending on 
              March 31, 1996 (the "First Quarter Income"), and (y) an 
              amount equal to the Shareholder's pro rata share of the 
              Company's estimated taxable income for the period beginning 
              on the day after the Pre-Closing Date and ending on the day 
              prior to the Effective Time (the "Short-Period Income").  The 
              First Quarter Income shall be computed based upon the 
              unaudited statement of income for the Company at March 31, 
              1996, delivered pursuant to Section 4.5(b) hereof, with such 
              adjustments thereto as are appropriate and proper to reflect 
              the differences, if any, between the computation of taxable 
              income under the Code and income for financial statements in 
              accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
              Alleghany and the Shareholders shall mutually agree upon the 
              estimate of the Company's First Quarter Income.  The Short-
              Period Income shall be equal to the product of (i) the 
              Company's average daily net income, derived by dividing (x) 
              the income of the Company during the first six months of 
              1996, as shown on the June 30 Income Statement (or, if 
              available, the income of the Company during the first seven 
              months of 1996, as shown on the July 31 Income Statement), 
              with such adjustments thereto as are appropriate to reflect 
              the differences, if any, between the computation of taxable 
              income under the Code and income for financial statements in 
              accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, by 
              (y) the number of business days (a business day being each 
              
              
              
                                          -52-
<PAGE>








              day that banks in Denver, Colorado are open for the conduct 
              of business) during the first six months of 1996 (or the 
              first seven months of 1996 if using the July 31 Income 
              Statement), times (ii) the number of business days (as 
              heretofore defined) from the day after the Pre-Closing Date 
              to and including the day prior to the Effective Time.
              
                        (c)(i)  The Company may declare and pay to the 
                   Shareholders as the Earnings Distribution an amount up 
                   to the difference between the Retained Earnings 
                   (including Current Year Retained Earnings) of the 
                   Company as shown on the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet 
                   (as defined below) and the Retained Earnings (including 
                   Current Year Retained Earnings) as shown on the balance 
                   sheet of the Company as at March 31, 1996 delivered 
                   pursuant to Section 4.5(b) hereof; provided, however, 
                                                      --------  -------
                   that, after such Earnings Distribution, (A) Total 
                   Current Assets (excluding any accounts receivable first 
                   established more than 90 days prior to the Pre-Closing 
                   Date) shall equal or exceed Total Current Liabilities 
                   (reduced by an amount equal to the lesser of the amount 
                   accrued on the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet for the 
                   "accrued rent" account and $210,386), all as shown on 
                   the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet, and (B) cash and 
                   Cash Equivalents (as defined below) of the Company shall 
                   equal or exceed the sum of $400,000 plus the Transaction 
                   Fees (as defined below), all as shown on the Pre-Closing 
                   Date Balance Sheet.
              
                        (ii)  The unaudited balance sheet of the Company as 
                   at the Pre-Closing Date (the "Pre-Closing Date Balance 
                   Sheet") and related unaudited statements of income and 
                   retained earnings shall be prepared by the Company and 
                   delivered to the parties hereto.  Such Pre-Closing Date 
                   Balance Sheet and related unaudited statements of income 
                   and retained earnings will present fairly the financial 
                   position of the Company as at the Pre-Closing Date in 
                   accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
                   applied on a basis consistent with the Annual Financial 
                   Statements; provided, however, that such Pre-Closing 
                               --------  -------
                   Date Balance Sheet and related unaudited statements of 
                   income and retained earnings shall be prepared without 
                   regard to the effect thereon of any of the transactions 
                   contemplated by this Agreement.  Without limiting the 
                   generality of the foregoing, all accruals of revenues, 
                   obligations and expenses will be properly reflected on 
              
              
              
                                          -53-
<PAGE>








                   the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet and related unaudited 
                   statements of income and retained earnings in accordance 
                   with generally accepted accounting principles, 
                   including, without limitation, (i) all accruals for the 
                   preparation of income Tax Returns for the Pre-Merger 
                   Period, and (ii) all legal, accounting, tax and other 
                   advisory fees and expenses of the Company incurred in 
                   connection with the transactions contemplated hereby 
                   (the "Transaction Fees").  The Shareholders shall be 
                   liable for any Transaction Fees not reflected as 
                   accruals on the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet, and the 
                   Company shall have no liability whatsoever therefor.  
                   Any disagreements relating to the Pre-Closing Date 
                   Balance Sheet shall be resolved in accordance with 
                   Section 12.11 hereof.
              
                        (iii)  "Cash Equivalents" shall mean investments 
                   held in money market accounts, checking accounts, or 
                   federally insured certificates of deposit for terms not 
                   exceeding 30 days and shall be shown separately on the 
                   Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet; provided, however, that 
                                                   --------  -------
                   no such investment shall have been pledged to secure any 
                   obligation in any manner whatsoever.
              
              
                                       ARTICLE XI
              
                                        Indemnity
              
                        11.1.  By the Shareholders and the Company.  The 
                               -----------------------------------
              Shareholders and, prior to the Closing, the Company jointly 
              and severally agree to indemnify Alleghany, Newco and 
              Transferee and hold them harmless at all times after the date 
              of this Agreement from and against and in respect of any and 
              all Liabilities arising out of or due to the breach of any 
              representation, warranty, agreement or covenant of the 
              Company or the Shareholders set forth in this Agreement, or 
              in any of the exhibits or other documents delivered pursuant 
              hereto, and any and all actions, suits, proceedings, demands, 
              assessments or judgments, and costs and expenses, incident to 
              any of the foregoing, but only if and to the extent that any 
              claim in respect of any such breach is asserted during the 
              period during which such representation, warranty, agreement 
              or covenant shall survive in accordance with Section 12.6 


              
              
              
                                          -54-
<PAGE>








              hereof; provided, however, that the Shareholders and the 
                      --------  -------
              Company shall have no obligation to indemnify Alleghany, 
              Newco and Transferee under this Agreement until such time as 
              the aggregate amount of Liabilities claimed by Alleghany, 
              Newco and Transferee exceeds Two Hundred Fifty Thousand 
              Dollars ($250,000), and then only in amounts in excess of 
              such Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), except 
              that (a) Alleghany, Newco and Transferee shall be indemnified 
              for any and all Liabilities resulting from any breach of 
              Section 4.2 hereof, whether or not such Liabilities exceed 
              Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), and (b) the 
              Shareholders and the Company shall have no obligation to 
              indemnify Alleghany, Newco and Transferee under this 
              Agreement for Liabilities resulting from any breach of 
              Section 4.4(f)(ii) hereof until such time as the aggregate 
              amount of such Liabilities claimed by Alleghany, Newco and 
              Transferee exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), 
              and then only in amounts in excess of such One Hundred 
              Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  Liabilities resulting from any 
              breach of Section 4.4(f)(ii) up to $100,000 shall also be 
              counted as Liabilities for the breach of any representation, 
              warranty, agreement or covenant of the Company or the 
              Shareholders for purposes of reaching the threshold of Two 
              Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) applicable to such 
              Liabilities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shareholders 
              shall not be required to make any payments under this Section 
              11.1 to the extent that such payments have been made under 
              any applicable policy of insurance after the insureds under 
              any such policy have used reasonable good faith efforts to 
              make any potentially covered claim and obtain payment on such 
              claim; provided, however, that there shall be no obligation 
                     --------  -------
              to maintain any such insurance, except that the Company shall 
              be obligated to maintain, until the first anniversary of the 
              Closing Date, a "dishonesty policy" which provides coverage 
              of $500,000 for an annual premium of about $1,000.
              
                        11.2.  By Alleghany and Newco.  Alleghany and Newco 
                               ----------------------
              jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Shareholders 
              and, prior to the Closing, the Company and hold them harmless 
              at all times after the date of this Agreement from and 
              against and in respect of any and all Liabilities arising out 
              of or due to the breach of any representation, warranty, 
              agreement or covenant of Alleghany or Newco set forth in this 
              Agreement or in any of the exhibits or other documents 
              delivered pursuant hereto, and any and all actions, suits, 
              
              
              
                                          -55-
<PAGE>








              proceedings, demands, assessments or judgments, and costs and 
              expenses, incident to any of the foregoing, but only if and 
              to the extent that any claim in respect of any such breach is 
              asserted during the period during which such representation, 
              warranty, agreement or covenant shall survive in accordance 
              with Section 12.6 hereof; provided, however, that Alleghany 
                                        --------  -------
              and Newco shall have no obligation to indemnify the 
              Shareholders and the Company under this Agreement until such 
              time as the aggregate amount of Liabilities claimed by the 
              Company and the Shareholders exceeds Two Hundred Fifty 
              Thousand Dollars ($250,000), and then only in amounts in 
              excess of such Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), 
              except that the Shareholders shall be indemnified for any and 
              all Liabilities resulting from any breach of Sections 9.4(a) 
              and 9.4(b) hereof, whether or not such Liabilities exceed Two 
              Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).  
              
                        11.3.  Procedure.
                               ---------
              
                        (a)  Alleghany, Newco and/or Transferee, on the one 
              hand, and the Company and/or the Shareholders, on the other 
              hand, each agree to promptly notify each other if any of them 
              becomes aware of any Liabilities with respect to which 
              indemnity may be asserted under Section 9.4 hereof or this 
              Article XI (hereinafter referred to as a "claim"), provided 
              that failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not re-
              lieve such party from liability except to the extent such 
              party is prejudiced thereby.  The party entitled to indemnity 
              (the "Indemnitee") shall permit the party responsible for 
              such indemnity (the "Indemnitor") to assume the defense of 
              any such claim or any litigation resulting from such claim.  
              
                        (b)  If the Indemnitor assumes the defense of any 
              such claim or litigation resulting therefrom, the Indemnitee 
              may participate, at its expense, in the defense of such claim 
              or litigation provided that the Indemnitor shall direct and 
              control the defense of such claim or litigation.  Except with 
              the written consent of Indemnitee, which consent shall not be 
              unreasonably withheld, the Indemnitor shall not, in the 
              defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, 
              consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement 
              which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the 
              giving by the claimant or the plaintiff to the Indemnitee of 
              a release from all liability in respect of such claim or 
              litigation.
              
              
              
              
                                          -56-
<PAGE>








                        (c)  If the Indemnitor shall not assume the defense 
              of any such claim or litigation resulting therefrom, the 
              Indemnitee may defend against such claim or litigation in 
              such manner as it may deem appropriate.  The Indemnitee shall 
              not enter into any settlement of such claim or litigation 
              without the written consent of the Indemnitor, which consent 
              shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Indemnitor shall 
              promptly reimburse the Indemnitee from time to time for any 
              and all amounts paid for or incurred by the Indemnitee and 
              for which the Indemnitor is obligated pursuant to Section 9.4 
              hereof or this Article XI, upon submission by the Indemnitee 
              of a statement reflecting the basis upon which such 
              indemnification is sought and the computation of such 
              amounts.
              
                        11.4.  Shareholders' Representative.
                               ----------------------------
              
                        (a)  The parties agree that Mike A. Leprino shall 
              act as the representative of the Shareholders (the 
              "Shareholders' Representative") for the purpose of settling 
              on behalf of the Shareholders claims made by the Shareholders 
              under Sections 9.4(e)(i) or 11.2 hereof, and representing the 
              Shareholders in any indemnification proceedings by Newco, 
              Alleghany or Transferee under Sections 9.4(e)(ii) and 11.1 
              hereof, in each case pursuant to the procedures set forth in 
              Section 11.3 hereof.
              
                        (b)  The Shareholders shall be bound by any and all 
              actions taken by the Shareholders' Representative on their 
              behalf.
              
                        (c)  Newco, Alleghany and Transferee shall be 
              entitled to rely upon any communication or writings given or 
              executed by the Shareholders' Representative.  All notices to 
              be sent to the Shareholders pursuant to the indemnification 
              provisions hereof may be addressed to the Shareholders' 
              Representative and any notice so sent shall be deemed notice 
              to all of the Shareholders hereunder.  The Shareholders 
              hereby consent and agree that the Shareholders' 
              Representative is authorized to accept notice on behalf of 
              the Shareholders pursuant hereto.
              
                        (d)  If for any reason Mike A. Leprino shall cease 
              to act as the Shareholders' Representative hereunder, the 
              Shareholders shall promptly appoint a new representative.  
              Such appointment shall be deemed to have been made when set 
              forth in a written communication to Alleghany, signed by 
              
              
              
                                          -57-
<PAGE>








              shareholders who own, or will receive, at least fifty-one 
              percent (51%) of the Alleghany Shares acquired or to be 
              acquired pursuant to this Agreement.  
              
                        (e)  The Shareholders' Representative is hereby 
              appointed and constituted the true and lawful attorney-in-
              fact of each Shareholder, with full power in his or her name 
              and on his or her behalf:
              
                        (i)  To act on such Shareholder's behalf according 
                   to the terms of this Agreement, including, without 
                   limitation, the power to act on their behalf in 
                   connection with any matter as to which the Shareholders 
                   are an "Indemnitor" or "Indemnitee" under this Article 
                   XI or under Section 9.4 hereof, all in the absolute 
                   discretion of the Shareholders' Representative; and
              
                        (ii)  In general to do all things and to perform 
                   all acts including, without limitation, executing and 
                   delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, 
                   instructions and other instruments contemplated by or 
                   deemed advisable in connection with this Agreement.
              
                        This power of attorney and all authority hereby 
              conferred is granted subject to the interest of the other 
              Shareholders hereunder and in consideration of the mutual 
              covenants and agreements made herein, and shall be 
              irrevocable and shall not be terminated by any act of any 
              Shareholder, by operation of law, whether by the death or 
              incapacity of any Shareholder, or by the occurrence of any 
              other event.  Each Shareholder shall jointly and severally 
              hold the Shareholders' Representative free and harmless from 
              any and all loss, damage or liability which he may sustain as 
              a result of any action taken in good faith hereunder.
              
                        (f)  The Shareholders' Representative shall not be 
              liable to the Shareholders for any action taken or omitted to 
              be taken by him except in the case of willful misconduct.  
              Each Shareholder agrees to pay his or her pro rata portion 
              (based upon his or her proportionate share of the Alleghany 
              Shares acquired or to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement) 
              of all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the 
              Shareholders' Representative arising out of or in connection 
              with the administration of his duties as Shareholders' 
              Representative, including but not limited to reasonable legal 
              fees and other costs and expenses of defending or preparing 
              to defend against any claim or liability hereunder.  
              
              
              
              
                                          -58-
<PAGE>








                        11.5.  No Liability of Shareholders.  
                               ----------------------------
              Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, 
              Alleghany and its affiliates shall not assert against the 
              Shareholders any liability for (1) any activities of the 
              Company relating to the issuance of title policies by the 
              Company (except for those activities referred to in Section 
              4.4(f) hereof) or (2) any obligation arising under any 
              agreements between the Company and Chicago Title Insurance 
              Company or its affiliates.  
              
              
                                       ARTICLE XII
              
                                Miscellaneous Provisions
              
                        12.1.  Termination.  At any time prior to the 
                               -----------
              Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated:
              
                        (a)  by mutual written consent of the Boards of 
              Directors of Alleghany and the Company; 
              
                        (b)  by Alleghany or the Shareholders at any time 
              prior to the Pre-Closing Date in the event that they cannot 
              agree on the June 30 Balance Sheet and the June 30 Income 
              Statement (or, if available, the July 31 Balance Sheet and 
              the July 31 Income Statement), and the balance sheet of the 
              Company as at March 31, 1996; 
              
                        (c)  by Alleghany or the Shareholders no earlier 
              than thirty (30) days after the Pre-Closing Date in the event 
              that they cannot agree on the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet, 
              the Earnings Distribution or the Tax Distribution; or
              
                        (d)  by Alleghany or the Shareholders no earlier 
              than thirty (30) days after the Pre-Closing Date in the event 
              that the Closing cannot be completed within such thirty-day 
              period due to the failure to satisfy any of the requirements 
              of Section 12.11 of this Agreement.
              
              In the event of any termination pursuant to this Section 
              12.1, the parties hereto shall be released from all 
              liabilities and obligations arising under this Agreement with 
              respect to matters contemplated by this Agreement other than 
              for damages to the extent arising from a prior breach of this 
              Agreement.
              
              
              
              
                                          -59-
<PAGE>








                        12.2.  Expenses.  Whether or not the Closing takes 
                               --------
              place and regardless of whether this Agreement is terminated, 
              each party hereto shall pay all of the costs and expenses 
              incurred by it, him or her in connection with this Agreement 
              or in consummating the transactions contemplated hereby 
              (including, without limitation, disbursements and expenses of 
              its, his or her attorneys, accountants and advisers); 
              provided, however, that in the event any party hereto is 
              --------  -------
              finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to 
              have breached any representation, warranty, agreement or 
              covenant set forth in this Agreement, such party shall pay 
              the costs and expenses (including without limitation, 
              disbursements and expenses of its, his or her attorneys, 
              accountants and advisors) reasonably and actually incurred by 
              each other party at any time in connection with any action or 
              proceeding to enforce this Agreement in respect of such 
              breach. 
              
                        12.3.  Notices.  All notices or other 
                               -------
              communications required or permitted under this Agreement 
              shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally, 
              by private courier or fax, or sent by registered or certified 
              mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
              
                        If to Alleghany or Newco, to
                        
                             Alleghany Corporation
                             375 Park Avenue
                             New York, New York  10152
                             Telecopy:  (212) 759-8149
                             
                             Attention:  Robert M. Hart, Esq.
              
                        with a copy to
                        
                             Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine
                             30 Rockefeller Plaza
                             New York, New York  10112
                             Telecopy:  (212) 632-3315
                             
                             Attention:  Linda E. Ransom, Esq.
              



              
              
              
                                          -60-
<PAGE>








                        If to the Company, to
                        
                             Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc.
                             1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200
                             Denver, Colorado 80202
                             Telecopy:  (303) 291-9998
                             
                             Attention:  Donald C. Ford, President
              
                        with a copy to
                        
                             Lentz, Evans and King P.C.
                             2900 Lincoln Center Building
                             1660 Lincoln Street
                             Denver, Colorado  80264
                             
                             Attention:  Peter K. Kloepfer, Esq.
              
                        If to any of the Shareholders, to the Shareholders' 
                        Representative at
                        
                             Mike A. Leprino
                             c/o Peter A. Robinson, Esq.
                             Robinson, Waters, O'Dorisio & Rapson
                             1099 18th Street
                             Suite 2600
                             Denver, Colorado  80202
              
              
                        Alleghany, Newco, the Company or the Shareholders' 
              Representative may change the person and address to which 
              notices or other communications are to be sent to it by 
              giving written notice of any such change in the manner 
              provided herein.
              
                        12.4.  Entire Agreement; Amendment.  This 
                               ---------------------------
              Agreement, together with the exhibits and other documents 
              delivered pursuant hereto, sets forth the entire agreement 
              and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the 
              transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all prior 
              agreements, arrangements and understandings relating to the 
              subject matter hereof.  No party hereto has relied upon any 
              oral or written statement, representation, warranty, 
              covenant, condition, understanding or agreement made by any 
              other party or any representative, agent or employee thereof, 
              except for those expressly set forth in this Agreement or in 
              the exhibits delivered pursuant hereto.  This Agreement may 
              
              
              
                                          -61-
<PAGE>








              be amended, modified, superseded or supplemented only by an 
              instrument in writing executed and delivered by Alleghany, 
              Newco, the Shareholders and the Company.
              
                        12.5.  Assignment.  This Agreement shall inure 
                               ----------
              to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective 
              successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal 
              representatives and permitted assigns of the parties hereto; 
              provided, however, that no assignment of any rights or 
              --------  -------
              delegation of any obligations provided for herein shall be 
              made by any party hereto without the express prior written 
              consent of each other party, which consent shall not be 
              unreasonably withheld.
              
                        12.6.  Survival of Representations, Warranties and
                              --------------------------------------------
              Covenants.  All representations, warranties agreements and 
              ---------
              covenants of the parties hereto which are contained in this 
              Agreement, together with the exhibits and other documents 
              delivered pursuant hereto, shall survive the Closing and 
              remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of 
              any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by or on 
              behalf of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that 
                                                   --------  -------
              the obligations of the parties for any breach of any 
              representation, warranty, agreement or covenant made by them 
              herein or therein shall survive the Closing only until the 
              first anniversary of the Closing Date, and no claim thereon 
              may first be asserted after that time, except that (a) the 
              obligations of the parties for any breach of any 
              representation, warranty, agreement or covenant set forth in 
              Sections 4.22, 8.6, 9.4(a), 9.4(b), 9.4(c) and 9.4(d) and the 
              last sentence of Section 8.4 shall survive the Closing only 
              until the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and no claim 
              thereon may first be asserted after that time; (b) the 
              obligations of the parties for any breach of any 
              representation, warranty, agreement or covenant set forth in 
              Section 8.5 shall survive the Closing only until the fifth 
              anniversary of the Closing Date, and no claim thereon may 
              first be asserted after that time; and (c) the obligations of 
              the parties for any breach of any representation, warranty, 
              agreement or covenant set forth in Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.10, 
              5.2, 5.3, 9.4(e), 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 and Articles XI 
              and XII hereof shall survive the Closing forever.
              
              
              
              
                                          -62-
<PAGE>








                        12.7.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be 
                               -------------
              governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of 
              the State of Colorado applicable to agreements made and to be 
              performed entirely within such State, except for matters 
              relating to the validity of corporate action, which shall be 
              governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or 
              organization of the relevant corporation.  
              
                        12.8.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be 
                               ------------
              executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of 
              which shall be deemed to be an original, but which together 
              shall constitute one and the same instrument.
              
                        12.9  Headings.  The section headings contained in 
                               --------
              this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only 
              and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this 
              Agreement.
              
                        12.10.  Severability.  In the event that any 
                                ------------
              provision hereof is prohibited or unenforceable in any 
              jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, 
              be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or 
              unenforceability without invalidating the remaining 
              provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability 
              of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
              
                        12.11.  Pre-Closing and Closing Procedures.  
                                ----------------------------------
              
                        (a)  At the Pre-Closing:
              
                        (i)  Each of Alleghany and Newco shall deliver to 
                   the Company and the Shareholders a certificate, dated 
                   the Pre-Closing Date, to the effect that (A) each of 
                   Alleghany and Newco have performed and complied in all 
                   material respects with all the terms, covenants and 
                   conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or 
                   complied with by it on or before the Closing Date, and 
                   (B) the representations and warranties made by Alleghany 
                   and Newco in this Agreement are true and correct in all 
                   material respects (except that each of the 
                   representations and warranties made by Alleghany and 
                   Newco which is qualified by materiality shall be true 
                   and correct in all respects) as of the Pre-Closing Date 
              
              
              
                                          -63-
<PAGE>








                   except for any changes permitted by the terms hereof or 
                   consented to by the Company and the Shareholders.  
                   Attached to Newco's certificate shall be a certified 
                   copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of 
                   Newco, and a certified copy of the written consent of 
                   Alleghany as the sole stockholder of Newco, and attached 
                   to Alleghany's certificate shall be a certified copy of 
                   the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Alleghany, 
                   in each case adopting or approving this Agreement and 
                   authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby.
              
                        (ii)  Each of the Company and the Shareholders 
                   shall deliver to Alleghany and Newco a certificate, 
                   dated the Pre-Closing Date, to the effect that (A) each 
                   of the Company and the Shareholders have performed and 
                   complied in all material respects with all the terms, 
                   covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to 
                   be performed or complied with by it, him or her on or 
                   before the Closing Date (other than in respect of the 
                   Company Approval required to be obtained under the lease 
                   for the Denver office (the "Denver Lease")), and (B) the 
                   representations and warranties made by the Company and 
                   the Shareholders in this Agreement are true and correct 
                   in all material respects (except that each of the 
                   representations and warranties made by the Company and 
                   the Shareholders which is qualified by materiality shall 
                   be true and correct in all respects) as of the Pre-
                   Closing Date except for any changes permitted by the 
                   terms hereof or consented to by Alleghany and Newco.  
                   Attached to the Company's certificate shall be a 
                   certified copy of the resolutions of its Board of 
                   Directors, and a certified copy of the written consent 
                   of the Shareholders, in each case adopting or approving 
                   this Agreement and authorizing the transactions 
                   contemplated hereby. 
              
                        (iii)  The Shareholders, the Company, Alleghany and 
                   Newco shall present all other certificates and documents 
                   required or otherwise to be delivered at the Closing, 
                   which certificates and documents shall thereafter be 
                   held by Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine in escrow until 
                   the Closing.
              
                        (b)  Upon presentation of the certificates and 
              other documents described in Section 12.11(a) of this 
              Agreement, Alleghany shall deliver a certificate dated as of 
              the Pre-Closing Date to the Shareholders and the Company to 
              the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 
              
              
              
                                          -64-
<PAGE>








              6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 (other than in respect of the Company 
              Approval required to be obtained under the Denver Lease) have 
              been satisfied (except for the dating of certificates 
              presented pursuant to Section 12.11(a)(iii) hereof and the 
              execution of legal opinions), and the Shareholders and the 
              Company shall deliver a certificate dated as of the Pre-
              Closing Date to Alleghany and Newco to the effect that the 
              conditions set forth in Article VII (other than in respect of 
              the Company Approval required to be obtained under the Denver 
              Lease) have been satisfied (except for the dating of 
              certificates presented pursuant to Section 12.11(a)(iii) 
              hereof and the execution of legal opinions).
              
                        (c)  After the Pre-Closing:
              
                        (i)  The Shareholders and the Company shall use 
                   their reasonable best efforts to obtain the Company 
                   Approval required to be obtained under the Denver Lease 
                   prior to the Closing Date; and
                   
                        (ii)  The Shareholders and Alleghany shall use 
                   their reasonable best efforts to resolve any 
                   disagreements relating to the Pre-Closing Date Balance 
                   Sheet prior to the Closing Date.
              
                        (d)  The Closing shall be held not later than 
              thirty (30) days after the Pre-Closing Date.  At the Closing:
              
                        (i)  The Shareholders shall present evidence 
                   satisfactory to Alleghany and Newco of the Company 
                   Approval required to be obtained under the Denver Lease;
                   
                        (ii)  As of the Closing Date:
                   
                             (A)  The representations and warranties made 
                        by each of the Shareholders and the Company in 
                        Section 4.22 shall be true and correct in all 
                        material respects;
                        
                             (B)  None of the Shareholders shall have taken 
                        any of the actions set forth in Exhibit 8.4 hereto; 
                        and
                        
                             (C)  None of the Shareholders shall have taken 
                        any action, and each of the Shareholders shall have 
                        refrained from taking any action, subsequent to the 
                        Pre-Closing Date which would result in a breach of 
                        any representations, warranties, agreements or 
              
              
              
                                          -65-
<PAGE>








                        covenants made by him or her without Alleghany's 
                        prior written consent.
              
                        (iii)  The Shareholders and the Company shall 
                   deliver a certificate dated the Closing Date to the 
                   effect set forth in Section 12.11(d)(ii) above.
              
                        (e)  Subsequent to the Pre-Closing Date, no party 
              may assert as a basis for avoiding such party's obligations 
              hereunder the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in 
              Articles VI or VII, except that Alleghany or Newco may assert 
              (i) the failure to obtain the Company Approval required to be 
              obtained under the Denver Lease, (ii) the breach of Section 
              4.22 and the last sentence of Section 8.4 of this Agreement, 
              or (iii) the breach of any representation or warranty due to 
              the failure to comply with Section 12.11(d)(ii)(C) of this 
              Agreement.
              
                        (f)  In the event this Agreement is terminated 
              without Closing, Alleghany and Newco shall cause Donovan 
              Leisure Newton & Irvine to return the certificates and other 
              documents presented pursuant to Section 12.11(a)(iii) hereof 
              to the party who presented each such certificate or document.

























              
              
              
                                          -66-
<PAGE>








              <PAGE>
                        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has duly 
              executed this Agreement, or has caused this Agreement to be 
              duly executed, as of the date first above written.
              
              
                                            CHICAGO TITLE OF COLORADO, INC.
              Attest:                       
              
              
              /s/ Susan Eckman              By /s/ Nancy A. Leprino
              ---------------------------     ---------------------------------
                                              Name:  Nancy A. Leprino
                                              Title: Vice President
              
                                            ALLEGHANY ACQUISITION CORPORATION
              Attest:
              
              /s/ Frank R. Adams            By /s/ David B. Cuming
              ---------------------------     ---------------------------------
                                              Name:  David B. Cuming
                                              Title: President
              
                                            ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
              Attest:
              
              /s/ Linda E. Ransom           By /s/ John J. Burns, Jr. 
              ---------------------------     ---------------------------------
                                              Name:  John J. Burns, Jr.
                                              Title: President
              
              
              Witnesses:                    SHAREHOLDERS
              
              
              /s/ Susan Eckman              /s/ Mike A. Leprino
              ---------------------------   -----------------------------------
                                            Mike A. Leprino
              
              
              /s/ Susan Eckman              /s/ Nancy A. Leprino
              ---------------------------   -----------------------------------
                                            Nancy A. Leprino 
              
              
              /s/ Susan Eckman              /s/ Donald C. Ford
              ---------------------------   -----------------------------------
                                            Donald C. Ford
              
              
              
                                          -67-











              <PAGE>
                                                               Exhibit 2.2
                                                               -----------
              
              
                                    List of Exhibits
                                    ----------------
              
              
              Exhibit Number                Description
              --------------                -----------
              
              1.3                           Form of Colorado Articles of 
                                              Merger
              1.4(a)                        Form of Employment Agreement
              1.4(b)                        Form of Consulting Agreement
              4.2                           Share Ownership
              4.3                           Company Approvals
              4.6                           Undisclosed Liabilities
              4.9                           Litigation
              4.10(d)                       Certain Tax Matters
              4.11(a)                       Material Agreements
              4.11(b)                       Leases 
              4.11(c)                       Intangible Property
              4.11(d)                       Investment Securities
              4.11(e)                       Other Assets
              4.12                          Benefit Plans
              4.13                          Interests of Officers, 
                                              Directors and Shareholders
              4.14                          Employees
              4.15                          Banks
              4.16                          Insurance Policies
              4.22                          Pooling Conditions
              5.3                           Alleghany and Newco Approvals
              6.3                           Form of Opinion of Counsel for
                                              the Company and the
                                              Shareholders
              7.3                           Form of Opinion of Counsel for
                                              Alleghany and Newco
              8.4                           Pooling Covenants
              8.5                           No Competition
              






               









                                                               Exhibit 5
                                                               ---------
           
           
           
                                  Law offices of
                          Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine
                               30 Rockefeller Plaza
                             New York, New York 10112
           
           
           
                                         October 11, 1996
           
           
           
           Alleghany Corporation
           375 Park Avenue
           New York, New York 10152
           
                     Re:  Alleghany Corporation
                          Registration Statement on Form S-3
                          Filed with the Securities and Exchange
                          Commission on October 11, 1996
                          --------------------------------------
           
           Gentlemen:
           
                     We are acting as counsel for Alleghany Corporation, 
           a Delaware corporation ("Alleghany"), in connection with the 
           registration by Alleghany under the Securities Act of 1933, 
           as amended (the "Act"), of 31,564 shares of common stock, par 
           value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), which are presently 
           outstanding and will be offered for the accounts of certain 
           stockholders of Alleghany (the "Selling Stockholders") under 
           the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the 
           Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 1996 (the 
           "Registration Statement").
           
                     We are familiar with the proceedings of Alleghany 
           relating to the authorization and issuance of the Shares.  In 
           addition, we have made such further examinations of law and 
           fact as we have deemed appropriate in connection with the 
           opinion hereinafter set forth.  We express no opinion as to 
           the law of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State 
           of New York and the corporate laws of the State of Delaware.
           
                     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion 
           that the Shares to be offered for the accounts of the Selling 
           Stockholders have been duly authorized and validly issued, 
           and are fully paid and nonassessable.
           
               
<PAGE>






           Alleghany Corporation                                      2.
           October 11, 1996
           
           
           
                     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as 
           an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference 
           to our firm which appears in the Prospectus constituting a 
           part thereof under the caption "Legal Opinion."  In giving 
           such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within 
           the category of persons whose consent is required under 
           Section 7 of the Act, or under the rules and regulations of 
           the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
           
                                       Very truly yours,
           
           
                                       /s/ Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine
           











                                                              EXHIBIT 23.2
                                                              ------------
              
              
              
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
              
              
              
              The Board of Directors
              Alleghany Corporation:
              
              
              We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration 
              Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 22, 1996 
              relating to the financial statements and related schedules of 
              Alleghany Corporation and subsidiaries, which appear in or 
              are incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on 
              Form 10-K of Alleghany Corporation for the year ended 
              December 31, 1995.  Our reports refer to the adoption by 
              Alleghany of the provisions of the Financial Accounting 
              Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
              No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and 
              Equity Securities" at December 31, 1993.
              
              We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the 
              heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
              
              
              
                                            /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
              
              
              
              New York, New York
              October 11, 1996











         <PAGE>
                                                                EXHIBIT 24
                                                                ----------
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 8th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/  Dan R. Carmichael
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 Dan R. Carmichael
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 5th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
         
                                            /s/  Allan P. Kirby, Jr.
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 Allan P. Kirby, Jr.
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 9th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/   F.M. Kirby
                                            -------------------------------
                                                  F.M. Kirby 
         
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 7th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/   William K. Lavin 
                                            -------------------------------
                                                  William K. Lavin 
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 7th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/   John E. Tobin
                                            -------------------------------
                                                  John E. Tobin        
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 8th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/  James F. Will
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 James F. Will
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 9th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/  Paul F. Woodberry
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 Paul F. Woodberry
         
<PAGE>








         <PAGE>
         
         
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
         
         
                   KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned 
         does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN J. BURNS, JR. and ROBERT 
         M. HART, and each of them, with full powers of substitution, his 
         true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all 
         acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said 
         attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable 
         Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to comply with the 
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and 
         requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect 
         thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of 
         31,564 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Alleghany 
         Corporation (the "Shares") issued to the former shareholders of 
         Chicago Title of Colorado, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("the 
         Company"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as 
         of August 22, 1996, among the Company, Alleghany Acquisition 
         Corporation, a Colorado corporation, Alleghany Corporation, and 
         each of the shareholders of the Company, including specifically, 
         but without limitation thereof, power and authority to sign his 
         name as a director of Alleghany Corporation to the Registration 
         Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
         and any amendment thereto in respect of said Shares and to any 
         documents filed as part of or in connection with said Registration 
         Statement or amendments; and the undersigned does hereby ratify 
         and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause 
         to be done by virtue hereof.
         
                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has subscribed these 
         presents on the 7th day of October, 1996.
         
         
         
                                            /s/  Roger Noall
                                            -------------------------------
                                                 Roger Noall
         



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