"I am only sorry that you will not take me more seriously.

I am now at your service." "In plain words, then, I want to purchase your holding in the Universal Steamship Company, a holding amounting, I believe, to one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars." Wingate effectually concealed a genuine surprise.
"You seem remarkably well informed as to my investments," he observed.
"Not as to your investments generally," Phipps replied, "but as to your holding of Universal stock.

In this stock it is my desire to secure a controlling interest." "Why ?" Phipps hesitated for a moment.

Then he replied with much apparent frankness.
"I could invent a dozen reasons.

I prefer to tell you the truth and to base my offer upon existing conditions." "The truth will be very interesting," Wingate murmured, with a note of faint sarcasm in his tone.
"Here are my cards, then, laid upon the table," Phipps continued, rapping the place in front of him with the back of his hand.