“Because I do not choose to be mixed up with speculations of the kind; because I refused to be associated with your Company; because I won’t be overreached in this way; because other names may have been used in the same manner, and it is time promoters were taught such liberties cannot be taken with impunity.”
“Our Company is a good one—paying very good dividends, and you have risked no money in it,” suggested Mr. Croft.
“Your Company may be a good one, or it may not,” replied Lord Kemms; “but, good or bad, I won’t be mixed up with it. I will have nothing to do with adventures or speculations of any kind.”
“It is a pity you were not always so particular concerning the things you connected yourself with, Frank,” remarked his cousin.
“Let by-gones be by-gones, Douglas,” interposed Mr. Stewart, hastily; “because a man sees the folly of his ways now, there is no justice in twitting him with having been less far-sighted formerly. No doubt, Frank is right as to the general principle; but this is rather a special case, with some peculiarities about it, which he will, doubtless, take into consideration. In the first place,” he added, addressing Lord Kemms, “we will admit there has been some misunderstanding on the subject——”
“No,” was the reply, “I will admit nothing of the kind. Black understood me perfectly——”
“Well, granting that he did understand you, what particular harm has his use of your name done? It is associated not with obscure Cockneys or swindlers, but with decently-respectable, solvent men, like Douglas and myself, for example. Of course, we know, we are not lords; but still, we have a fancy we are honest, and possess some money. Our venture is turning out very well. No doubt the proper number of shares has been allotted to you. You take no responsibility—you run no risk; by making a fuss over the affair, you will do yourself no good, and may do us considerable harm. You will take time to think over the matter, and you will, when you have cooled down a little, decide to make no public scandal concerning the affair.”
“I have already written to the Times,” answered his Lordship.
“But not posted the letter, I hope. Bring it here, Frank, and we will smoke a calumet of peace over its ashes.”
“Impossible! I sent it to the Times’ office before I left London.”