Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/191

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THE UNRECORDED ABDUCTION
179

the capital. My name on the prospectus had nothing to do with it. But, good or bad, my name isn't going on one of Isador's prospectuses, whether my sympathy is appealed to or not. What was the second method of setting me in motion ? A man may as well understand his own machinery."

"The second method, Hazel said, was not without danger. Briefly stated, it was to step on your toes; in other words, to get you angry, then, Hazel said, although you would show no anger, you would fight to the last ditch."

This seemed to amuse Lord Stranleigh.

"I don't see how that would help them," he said, "even if it were true."

"They didn't, either. Hazel said you had no respect for his business ability."

"Neither have I. If he doesn't quit the Stock Exchange soon he'll find himself so deeply involved that even the Bank of England can't get him out."

"But he said you regarded Mackeller as both honest and capable."

"Quite so."

"He stated that on one occasion he had given Mackeller a letter of introduction to you, and although you didn't read the document you took to Mackeller at once, and Hazel appeared to doubt that a similar result would take place in Isaacstein's case. So it was arranged that as you had both confidence in Mackeller's business abili-