"I am only sorry that
you will not take me more seriously. I am now at your service."
"In plain words, then, I want to purchase your holding in the Universal
Steamship Company, a holding amounting, I believe, to one million, two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
Wingate effectually concealed a genuine surprise.
"You seem remarkably well informed as to my investments," he observed.
"Not as to your investments generally," Phipps replied, "but as to your
holding of Universal stock. In this stock it is my desire to secure a
controlling interest."
"Why?"
Phipps hesitated for a moment. Then he replied with much apparent
frankness.
"I could invent a dozen reasons. I prefer to tell you the truth and to
base my offer upon existing conditions."
"The truth will be very interesting," Wingate murmured, with a note of
faint sarcasm in his tone.
"Here are my cards, then, laid upon the table," Phipps continued,
rapping the place in front of him with the back of his hand. "An Asiatic
Power has offered me an immense commission if I can arrange the sale to
them of the Atlantic fleet of the Universal Line."
"For what purpose?"
"Trading purposes between Japan and China," Phipps explained. "The
quickest way of bringing about the sale and earning my commission is for
me to acquire a controlling interest in the company.
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