"But you need have no fear.

Dog does not eat dog, and that charming lady will not despoil me of very much! Now to another matter! What amount do you think your clients would feel inclined to take in full settlement of their claim upon me ?" "I cannot say," I answered.

"How many of the gems have you realized upon ?" "There were ninety-three originally," he said when he had consulted his pocket-book, "and I have sold sixty, which leaves a balance of thirty-three, all of which are better than any I have yet disposed of.
Will your clients be prepared to accept fifty thousand pounds, of course, given without prejudice." "Your generosity amazes me," I answered.

"My clients, your partners, are to take twenty-five thousand pounds apiece, while you get off, scot-free, after your treatment of them, with two hundred thousand." "They may consider themselves lucky to get anything at all," he retorted.

"Run your eye over the case, and see how it stands.