“The Crown would see no difficulty in that, I expect,” put in Christopher. “How could you stop the Thing going on, that’s what I want to know?” 349
“You could give the money to Charities and shut down the works and leave thousands to starve.”
Christopher moved impatiently.
“The money invested in each company could be divided amongst the shareholders, I suppose, or in the case of the Stormly Mines amongst the work-people.”
“If you want to ruin them.”
“Mr. Saunderson, I am not going to accept this fortune. I don’t like the way it was made, I don’t want it, I won’t work for it.”
“Why should you work for it, after all? You can go on with your own life and delegate your powers to another or others, and let all continue as it is. The income would be at your disposal to save or spend. You need never enter Princes Buildings if that is what troubles you. You can spend the money in philanthropy, or gamble it away at Monte Carlo, or leave it to accumulate for your heirs. If you’ll do that I’ll undertake to find suitable men to carry on the affairs.”
Christopher’s face flushed angrily, but he made an effort to control himself, however, and answered quietly.
“I cannot take money I’ve not earned, Mr. Saunderson.”
Mr. Saunderson made a gesture of despair.