“Precisely,” Jacob agreed. “We have fifteen thousand pounds, less expenses and interest, to divide between the three of us as the money comes in.”
“In the ordinary course of events,” Mr. Montague proceeded, “it will no doubt be a year at least before the depositors will have paid up in full and a correct balance can be arrived at. Now Littleham and I are scarcely in your position. We need to turn our money over quickly. We therefore make to you the following proposition. Let the accounts be made out at once, allow six per cent interest upon all sums still owing from depositors, give us a cheque for the whole amount of our shares on that basis, and Littleham and I are willing to pay you five hundred pounds each for the accommodation.”
“A dissolution of partnership, in fact?”
“Precisely,” Montague assented.
“There’s the taking over of the Electric Light and Water Company,” Jacob remarked reflectively. “I suppose you want that kept entirely separate.”
Montague coughed.
“Entirely,” he agreed.
“Supposing some of the purchasers should fail to make good their deposits?”
“Then the deposit would belong to you,” Montague pointed out, “and the land could be resold elsewhere.”
“Plenty of applicants for the land still,” Littleham interposed gruffly.