‘It can’t touch me in one way, but it may break my fortune. Now answer me this one question. What is the worth of the brine which has been pumped up from our workings since the firm of Jervase & Jervoyce began to prosper in that enterprise?’
‘I can tell you that, sir, roughly, in the turn of a hand. First and last, two hundred thousand pounds. That may be a thousand wrong on one side or the other—it may even be five thousand wrong on the one side or the other—but I’ll guarantee that it’s not more than that.’
‘So that if this claim, whether by fair means or by foul, could be established, the firm could be made responsible in a Civil Court for that sum.’
‘Exactly, sir. The case being established, the firm would be responsible for every penny.’
‘And for how large a share,’ the General asked, ‘am I personally responsible?’
‘Each member of the firm,’ Jervase answered, ‘is responsible in his own person for the whole amount. There’s no limitation of liability.’
The conversation was marked by less excitement than it had been on the one side, and by a more business-like manner on the other.
‘You needn’t fear, sir,’ said Jervase. ‘James and I are good to meet the whole of the obligations, and, apart from that, these fellows who are being brought up against us are the very scum of the earth. I don’t suppose that any Court of Law would listen to them.’
‘No?’ asked the General, with sudden keenness. ‘And why are they the very scum of the earth? You don’t know the men?’
Jervase was visibly disconcerted. He stammered as he answered: