“I?” Howard laughed. “Where could I get a million and a half?”
“How much could you take in cash?”
“Well—let me see—perhaps—five hundred thousand.”
“You can borrow the million with the stock as collateral.”
“But how could I pay?”
“Why, your dividends at our present rate would be more than two hundred thousand a year. Your interest charge would be under seventy-five thousand. Perhaps I can arrange it so that it won’t be more than fifty thousand. You can let the balance go on reducing the loan. Then I may be able to put you onto a few good things. At any rate you can’t lose anything. Your stock would bring five hundred even at forced sale. It’s your chance, old man. I want to see you take it.”
“I’ll think it over. I have no head for figures.”
“Let me manage it for you.” Stokely rose to go. Howard began thanking him, but he cut him off with:
“You owe me no thanks. You’ve made money for me—big money. I owe you my help. Besides, I don’t want any outsider in here. Let me know when you’re ready.” He nodded and was gone.
“What a chance!” Howard repeated again and again.