'
'I am sorry we cannot come to an arrangement, Mr. Kenyon--very sorry
indeed;' and, saying this, he took another proof-sheet out of his pocket,
which he handed to Kenyon. 'If we cannot come to an understanding, the
manager has determined to print this, instead of the article I showed
you. Would you kindly glance over it, because we should like to have it
as correct as possible.'
Kenyon opened his eyes, and unfolded the paper. The heading was the same,
but he had read only a sentence or two when he found that the mica-mine
was one of the greatest swindles ever attempted on poor old innocent
financial London!
'Do you mean to say,' cried John, looking up at him, with his anger
kindling, 'that if I do not bribe you to the extent of three hundred
pounds, besides giving you an unknown quantity of stock, you will publish
this libel?'
'I do not say it is a libel,' said the young man smoothly; 'that would be
a matter for the courts to decide. You might sue us for libel, if you
thought we had treated you badly. I may say that has been tried several
times, but with indifferent success.'
'But do you mean to tell me that you intend to publish this article if I
do not pay you the three hundred pounds?'
'Yes; putting it crudely, that is exactly what I do mean.'
Kenyon rose in his wrath and flung open the door.
'I must ask you to leave this place, and leave it at once. If you ever
put in an appearance here again while I am in the office, I will call a
policeman and have you turned out!'
'My dear sir,' expostulated the other suavely, 'it is merely a matter of
business.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257