'As I said a moment ago, we are not in a position to secure it. It is premature to talk of advertising at the present state of affairs.' 'I think, you know, it will be to your interest to take the half-page. The price is three hundred pounds, and besides that amount we should like to have some shares in the company.' 'Do you mean three hundred pounds for one insertion of the advertisement?' 'Yes.' 'Doesn't that strike you as being a trifle exorbitant? Your paper has a comparatively limited circulation, and they do not ask us such a price even in the large dailies.' 'Ah, my dear sir, the large dailies are quite different. They have a tremendous circulation, it is true, but it is not the kind of circulation we have. No other paper circulates so largely among investors as the _Financial Field._ It is read by exactly the class of people you desire to reach, and I may say that, except through the _Financial Field_, you cannot get at some of the best men in the City.' 'Well, admitting all that, as I have said once or twice, we are not yet in a position to give an advertisement.' 'Then, I am very sorry to say that we cannot, on Monday, publish the article I have shown you.' 'Very well; I cannot help it. You are not compelled to print it unless you wish. I am not sure, either, that publishing the article on Monday would do us any good. It would be premature, as I say. We are not yet ready to court publicity until we have had our first meeting of proposed stockholders.' 'When is your first meeting of stockholders?' 'On Monday, at three o'clock.' 'Very well, we could put that announcement in another column, and I am sure you would find the attendance at your meeting would be very largely and substantially increased.' 'Possibly; but I decline to do anything till after the meeting.' 'I think you would find it pay you extremely well to take that half-page.' 'I am not questioning the fact at all. I am merely saying what I have said to everyone else, that we are not ready to consider advertising.' '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?'