“How am I to show him all this if he refuses to see me?”
“You are to convince me of two things by exhibiting the original documents: first, that these firms mentioned in your letters have given you options; and second, the length of the options,—the date on which they expire, in fact.”
“And if I refuse?” said Cammerford, seemingly puzzled and displeased at the trend of our conversation.
I rose to my feet and bowed to him.
“If you refuse,” I said, “that ends my mission. Good-morning to you.”
“Wait a bit, wait a bit,” cried Cammerford, “sit down, Mr. Tremorne. This requires a little thought. Please don’t go; just sit down for a moment. I don’t see how Mr. Hemster can expect me to show my whole hand to one who, begging your pardon, is a comparative stranger, and one who will have nothing to do with our transaction. Secrecy is the very soul of such a deal as I am trying to put through. What guarantee have I that you will not cable to New York or Chicago full particulars of what I am asked to tell you.”
“None whatever, Mr. Cammerford.”
“Well, that’s not business.”
“Quite so. Then I shall report your opinion to Mr. Hemster.”