Sir Hunter nodded, and looked rather anxiously at Wraile.
Sir Garth continued: “All I want is just to know roughly your general policy. Then, if you’ll give me a copy of your last Annual Report and Balance Sheet and a Schedule I’ll take them away and just run through them in my spare time. You won’t mind that, I’m sure.”
The Chairman shortly, but not too clearly, outlined the history and activities of the company, and calling in the manager, introduced him to Sir Garth. Fratten looked at him with interest, and evidently realized at once that not here would he find what he was looking for.
“The other members of your Board,” he said when Mr. Blagge had left. “Would you mind letting me know who they are?”
“Of course, of course; I quite forgot that—stupid of me, what? There’s old Lord Resston—he never turns up—holds 15% of the shares and draws his guineas—great disappointment to me. Wraile here comes pretty regularly twice a week; I’m here most days. The only other director’s a chap called Lessingham—Travers Lessingham—very shrewd; doesn’t show up much, though—other irons in the fire, I suppose. Still, when he comes, his advice is worth having. That’s our Board. Then there’s Blagge, our manager, whom you’ve met; Miss Saverel, our very capable secretary, and a couple of junior clerks.”
Fratten nodded. “And do you suppose your fellow-directors will care for me to join you?” he asked.
For a second Sir Hunter hesitated, but before the pause could become awkward—or even apparent—Wraile slipped into the breach—as he had so often done in France.
“Speaking for myself, sir,” he said, “I shall consider it a great honour to work with you.”
The General shot him a grateful glance.
“Of course, I must formally consult my colleagues,” he said, “but, naturally I don’t expect anything but a warm welcome.”