He was told he might find it difficult to find another position if he left their firm under such conditions.
"On the contrary," said Peter, firmly, "from what I have heard, I believe it will improve my standing." That he came off well in the struggle was due not so much to his ability, but to the fact that he now had nothing to lose or gain from the situation.

As soon as Benson grasped this fact he began a masterly retreat.

Wayne noticed the difference between the partners: Honaton, the less able of the two, wanted to save the situation, but before everything else wanted to leave in Wayne's mind the sense that he had made a fool of himself.

Benson, more practical, would have been glad to put Pete in jail if he could; but as he couldn't do that, his interest was in nothing but saving the situation.

The only way to do this was to give up all idea of publishing any report.