'
'We cannot form our company and sue the paper at the same time. All our
energies will have to be directed towards the matter we have in hand.'
'But, my dear John, don't you see the effect of that article? How can we
form our company if such a lie remains unchallenged? Nobody will look at
our proposals. Everyone will say, "What have you done about the article
that appeared in the _Financial Field_?" If we say we have done nothing,
then, of course, the natural inference is that we are a pair of
swindlers, and that our scheme is a fraud.'
'I have always thought,' said John, 'that the capitalization is too
high.'
'Really, I believe you think that article is not so unfair, after all.
John, I'm astonished at you!'
'But if we do commence a libel suit, it cannot be finished before our
option has expired. If we tell people that we have begun a suit against
the _Financial Field_ for libel, they will merely say they prefer to wait
and hear what the result of the case is. By that time our chances of
forming a company will be gone.'
'There is a certain amount of truth in that; nevertheless, I do not see
how we are to go on with our company unless suit for libel is at least
begun.'
Before John could reply there was a knock at the door, and the clerk
entered with a letter in his hand which had just come in. Kenyon tore it
open, read it, and then tossed it across the table to Wentworth.
Wentworth saw the name of their firm of solicitors at the top of the
letter-paper.
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