"Look at the facts impartially," he said. "It is true that their actions are illegal. It is true that this farcical stock issue to Williams was made merely to carry the election, just as that indictment in Illinois was obtained merely to discredit you. It is true that we shall obtain the dismissal of this indictment, that we can contest the election, and that we must ultimately win the fight--if we push it. "But, my dear fellow, do we want to push it? Is the game worth the candle? Ask yourself that question fairly. Garvin intimated to me to-night that Findlater would be only too glad to throw Macgowan overboard and make peace. There has been friction between them; Findlater, I think, is terrified by Macgowan's audacity and absolute disregard for any legal ethics. Now is our time to compromise, get what we can out of their differences! Garvin is in this hotel now. If you'll let me interview him, I fancy that he'll be all ready to present terms for our acceptance." "I don't compromise," said Armstrong quietly. "Then give in, surrender!" put in Judge Holcomb, gloomily enough. "Consider what a protracted fight will involve, Reese! It means that we'll be battling in the courts for months to come, perhaps years. It means lengthy and continuous expense--and you know what this campaign has cost us. What if we win? We get nothing out of it. Macgowan can juggle the books of Consolidated and use the investors' money to fight us--" "That's exactly it," said Armstrong. "He's fighting us with our own money! And if we fail, he'll rob us. We must not fail." "Besides," spoke up Doctor Bruton, "consider the effect upon the company itself, Reese! Already this fight has hurt it tremendously." "Not as much as Macgowan has hurt it," said Armstrong. "Not as much as he will hurt it!" They were silent for a moment, staring at him. Then Robert Dorns moved in his chair, took his cigar from his mouth, and spoke. "Listen here, Armstrong. Who's runnin' Consolidated now?" "Macgowan, of course." "If he's out o' the company, who's runnin' it?" Armstrong was silent a space, his gaze fastened on Dorns, his lips compressed. "I see," he said at length. "Yes. I see." Dorns waved his cigar, drove home his point. "We ain't in this fight for selfish reasons, but for the good of the company. Now, at the very minute Macgowan gets into the saddle--what happens? His crowd goes back on him. Findlater is ready to ditch him. S'pose we make terms? "Then our stock is back in control. Leave Findlater there if we have to! Believe me, when we're dealin' with Findlater and not Macgowan, we can handle him! It's Macgowan's infernal brains that have been makin' this fight, me lad; don't mistake that. Why not let Mansfield have a little talk, learn what we can do? They can't put anything over on Q. Adams, and you know it!" Armstrong was silent again. Then he rose to his feet. "Go ahead, Mansfield," he said. "I'm going to telephone my wife--excuse me."