Your approximate holdings of wheat may be exaggerated a trifle, although
these lists came from some one in your own office, but I think you will
find that the figures there will be of assistance to you when you decide
to give the word."
"Let me get this clearly into my head," Phipps begged, after a moment's
amazed silence, "without the possibility of any mistake. You mean that we
are to sell wheat at about sixty per cent, less than the present market
value--in many cases sixty per cent. less than we gave for it?"
"That, I imagine, will be about the position," Wingate admitted.
"The man is a fool!" Rees snarled. "It would mean ruin."
Wingate remained impassive.
"The British and Imperial Granaries, Limited," he said, "has been
responsible for the ruin of a good many people. It is time now that the
pendulum swung the other way.--Come, make up your minds."
"What if we refuse?" Dredlinton asked.
"You will be made a little more secure," Wingate explained, "your gags
fastened, and your arms corded to the backs of the chairs."
"But for how long?"
"Until you give the word."
"And supposing we never give the word?" Stanley Rees demanded.
"Then you sit there," Wingate replied, "until you die."
Dredlinton glanced covertly across at Phipps, and, finding no
inspiration there, turned to Wingate.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208