"You know how anxious I am to help you, to further your interests,
Matthew," said he wheedlingly. "I know no man who has a brighter future.
But--not so fast, not so fast, young man. Of course, you will appear as
one of the reorganizing committee--but we could not afford to have the
announcement come through any less strong and old established house than
the National Industrial Bank."
"At least, you can make me joint announcer with them," I urged.
"Perhaps--yes--possibly--we'll see," said he soothingly. "There is plenty
of time."
"Plenty of time," I assented, as if quite content. "I only wanted to put
the matter before you." And I rose to go.
"Have you heard the news of Textile Common?" he asked.
"Yes," said I carelessly. Then, all in an instant, a plan took shape in my
mind. "I own a good deal of the stock, and I must say, I don't like this
raise."
"Why?" he inquired.
"Because I'm sure it's a stock-jobbing scheme," replied I boldly. "I know
the dividend wasn't earned. I don't like that sort of thing, Mr. Roebuck.
Not because it's unlawful--the laws are so clumsy that a practical man
often must disregard them. But because it is tampering with the reputation
and the stability of a great enterprise for the sake of a few millions of
dishonest profit.
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