Carlin answered: "The business way would be to formally expel him from the Club, and to write him that, without waiving any legal rights, we will give him the time he requires in which to settle."
"That would no doubt be just," said Wright.
"There would be no injustice in it, from a business standpoint," said Ashley.
"He certainly," said Brewster, "would have no right to complain of such treatment."
Said Corrigan: "The verdict of the worreld would be that we had acted fairly."
"No one," said the Colonel, "could blame you for firing him out. He has not only wronged you directly, but at the same moment has attacked your credit in the city where you are owing bills."
"That is true," said the Professor.
"It is only a matter of discretion what to do," said Alex. "All the direct equities are against Miller."
"There is no decision so fair as by a secret ballot," said Harding. "Let us take a vote on the proposition of Miller's expulsion, and all must take part."
This was agreed to. Nine slips of paper were prepared, all of one size and length, one was given to each man to write "expulsion, yes," or "expulsion, no," as he pleased. A hat was placed on the table for a ballot-box; each in turn deposited his ballot and resumed his seat.