He's been to see Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others." "It would be awkward if they turned us down," Farnam remarked.
Agatha waited.

She knew Gardner and Leeson held a number of the shares, but she did not understand the matter yet.
"Very awkward," George agreed.

"I went to Leeson, and although he didn't say much, I reckon Stormont wants to buy his stock.

He allowed that he and Gardner were not satisfied about our prospects, and I couldn't give him much ground for holding on.

Then I went to Hill, who said he'd got an offer for his stock and meant to sell, but wouldn't name the buyer.