Now, sirs, am I to tear them up or not ?" The three men looked at each other, and then one of them said: "We protest altogether against the assertion, sir, but at the same time, as there can be little doubt that Emerson and Sir James Flash have played unfairly, and we do not wish any association of our names with theirs, we are perfectly willing that the IOUs, which, under the circumstances, we should never have dreamt of presenting, should be destroyed." "I think that you have chosen wisely," the chief said dryly.

"It is a pity that you did not do so at first.

These are the IOUs he gave to one or other of you.

Perhaps it would be pleasanter for you to destroy them yourselves." The three men took the papers with their names on them and tore them up.
"Thank you," he went on sarcastically.

"That will place you in a better position.