It is this: "The men with whom I was unwise enough to become partially identified are marked for destruction by the Clearing House Committee and by the Federal Government.

I know it; others know it.

Which means the ruthless elimination of anything doubtful which in future might possibly compromise the financial stability of this city.
"It is a brutal programme; the policy they are pursuing is bitterly unjust.

Innocent and guilty alike are going to suffer; I never in all my life consciously did a crooked thing in business; and yet I say to you now that these people are bent on my destruction; that they mean to force us to close the doors of the Algonquin; that they are planning the ruin of every corporation, every company, every bank, every enterprise with which I am connected, merely because they have decreed the financial death of Moebus and Klawber!" He made a trembling gesture with clenched hand, and leaned farther forward: "Mallett! There is not one man to-day in Wall Street who has not done, and who is not doing daily, the very things for which the government officials and the Clearing House authorities are attempting to get rid of me.

Their attacks on my securities will ultimately ruin me; but such attacks would ruin any financier, any bank in the United States, if continued long enough.
"Doesn't anybody know that when the government conspires with the Clearing House officials any security can be kicked out of the market?
Don't they know that when bank examiners class any securities as undesirable, and bank officials throw them out from the loans of such institutions, that they're not worth the match struck to burn them into nothing?
"If they mean to close my companies and bring charges against me, I'll tell you now, Mallett, any official of any bank which to-day is in operation, can be indicted!" He sat breathing fast, hands clasped nervously between his knees.