“Of course not. Still, that is a trifle that really doesn’t matter, and doubtless your principals will ask of me to allow them quietly to replace it.” “I cannot leave these transfer papers with you unless you sign that receipt. You know enough of business to understand that, I suppose. A man like myself, acting merely as agent, must have documentary proof that he has fulfilled his duty. If I leave the papers with you, I must bear away the signed receipt in lieu of them.” “I’ll willingly sign a receipt, Mr. Hahn, simply acknowledging your delivery of the papers.” “My instructions were quite definite, my lord, and I dare not vary from them.” “Oh, I thought that Mr. Schwartzbrod had placed negotiations entirely in your hands, and would do as you advised.” “I shall, of course, give him my best advice, but I honestly could not advise him to part with all his advantages in the situation, and receive nothing in return.” “His advantages? What are they?” “Well, my lord, they are probably greater than you imagine. He and his colleagues have been elected president and board of directors of the Red Shallows company. They hold office for a year. You spoke just now of the withdrawal of the money. It is quite within their legal right to not only withdraw the money, but to issue debentures against the shares that you hold. If you read the articles of association, you will see that this is so. Although you hold all the shares of the company, you cannot compel them to resign, and you cannot vote your stock until the next annual meeting, which is nearly twelve months distant. During that time the president and board of directors, who are clothed with large powers, for I myself drew up the articles of association, and I know their contents--these seven men may do practically what they please with your property, unless we come to an amicable settlement.” “Ah, who is threatening now, Mr. Hahn?” “I am not, my lord. I am merely telling you, in the plainest possible words at my command, just how the situation stands.” “I thank you, Mr. Hahn, for the clarity of your explanation. I take it, then, that you cannot leave these documents with me?” “Not unless you will sign that receipt, my lord.” “As I feel disinclined to do that, Mr. Hahn, and suffer no qualms of conscience whatever regarding the unlucky stockbrokers, I hereby return them to you, receipt and all. Now, you tell Mr. Schwartzbrod that the price of Red Shallows shares is one hundred pounds each, and if there are seventy thousand shares coming to me which your principles cannot produce, their check for seven million pounds will do me quite as well.” “My lord, you pretend ignorance in business affairs. I suppose you are now trying to prove it. You cannot make the shares a hundred pounds apiece, nor can you enforce such an exorbitant condition through any court in the land. My principals would receive relief from any court of equity.”