"I don't compromise," said Armstrong quietly.
"Then give in, surrender!" put in Judge Holcomb, gloomily enough. "Consider what a protracted fight will involve, Reese! It means that we'll be battling in the courts for months to come, perhaps years. It means lengthy and continuous expense—and you know what this campaign has cost us. What if we win? We get nothing out of it. Macgowan can juggle the books of Consolidated and use the investors' money to fight us—"
"That's exactly it," said Armstrong. "He's fighting us with our own money! And if we fail, he'll rob us. We must not fail."
"Besides," spoke up Doctor Bruton, "consider the effect upon the company itself, Reese! Already this fight has hurt it tremendously."
"Not as much as Macgowan has hurt it," said Armstrong. "Not as much as he will hurt it!"
They were silent for a moment, staring at him. Then Robert Dorns moved in his chair, took his cigar from his mouth, and spoke.
"Listen here, Armstrong. Who's runnin' Consolidated now?"
"Macgowan, of course."
"If he's out o' the company, who's runnin' it?"
Armstrong was silent a space, his gaze fastened on Dorns, his lips compressed.