Colvay next called on Sir Wilmington Jeems, and found him in a perturbed frame of mind.
“It’s a hundred to one, Colvay,” he said, “if we and the Metropolitan don’t join up, this fellow is likely enough to pick off enough shareholders in both companies to do us all in.
Count on me for unity against Cowperwood, as long as our individual interests are fully protected.”
With this encouragement, Colvay proceeded to call up as many of the directors as he could reach.
Out of twelve, he found seven who were alive to the import of what he had to say.
Accordingly, special directors’ meetings in both companies were scheduled for the following Friday, and at these meetings a request for a joint conference between the directors of the two companies was voted for the following Thursday, when there would be consideration of this new issue.
Stane and Johnson went into conference on this sudden development.
It was very interesting, and most opportune, in view of the forthcoming dinner engagement between Johnson and Cowperwood.
“Depend on it!” said Johnson, “he knows everything about us through that fellow Jarkins, and he wants to sound us out.”
“Well, two pins to a steam engine,” said Stane, “neither the District nor the Metropolitan will do anything unless Cowperwood does something first.
Just now, they are considerably stirred up, but our people are not likely to agree on any radical changes.
They cannot bring themselves, even now, to unite the two loop lines, let alone electrify them and operate them as a unit.
Unless Cowperwood goes ahead with his program, they will do nothing.
My feeling is that we should play with him up to the point where we see just how comprehensive his plan is, and whether he is certain to go through with it.
Then we can decide what it is going to mean to us.
Unless it is perfectly clear that the Metropolitan-District people are willing and ready to do as well or better, I feel we should join with Cowperwood and compromise with our old friends later.”
“Quite sound, quite sound!” interjected Johnson at this point.
“I’m with you entirely as to that. At least, in theory.
But don’t forget, my position in this matter is a little different from yours.
As a shareholder in both lines, I feel with you that very little is to be expected from those who are in charge of things now.
But as a solicitor for both lines, I have to consider how my activities in this dual capacity are likely to turn out.
As you can see for yourself, I cannot operate on both sides at once.
My duty, as well as my sincere desire, is to study the matter thoroughly without taking sides, and to see if the English and American interests cannot be harmonized.
As solicitor, it seems to me there could be no harm in my confessing that I have been approached by Mr. Cowperwood as to their general attitude.
And as a shareholder in these companies, I should be able to decide for myself which is the best program, and, privately, at least, act accordingly.
You don’t see any moral objection to that, do you?”
“None whatever,” said Stane.
“It seems to me a very fair and frank position for both of us to take.
If they object, all right.
That shouldn’t bother us.
And, of course, Mr. Cowperwood will take care of himself.”
“Well, I certainly am glad to hear you say that,” commented Johnson.
“I was beginning to be a little troubled, but now I think it may work out.
At least, there will be no harm in my having this consultation with Cowperwood.
And then, if it looks satisfactory to you, perhaps we can go further. That is, the three of us,” he added cautiously.
“Certainly, the three of us,” replied Stane.
“Whenever you have anything definite to report, let me know.
At least, we can say one thing,” he added, getting up and stretching his long legs, “we have stirred up the animals a bit.
Or, at any rate, Cowperwood has done it for us.
And all we have to do is to sit tight and see which way they are going to jump.”
“Quite so,” said Johnson.
“I’ll get in touch with you immediately after I see Cowperwood on Tuesday.”
Chapter 32
The dinner at Brown’s Hotel was fateful not only for Johnson and all he represented, but for Cowperwood and all that he desired to achieve, although neither of them fully realized this at the time.
As Cowperwood soon learned, Johnson had been deeply impressed by what had just occurred in connection with the directors and investors of the underground interests, and was, for all his previous enthusiasm, seeking to tread a middle course until he should learn exactly what Cowperwood was going to propose.
Nevertheless, he was satisfied that Johnson, because of the great stake of future profits in connection with the development of the London transit field, was anxious to side with him if possible.
And because of his own desire for social as well as financial rehabilitation, he was determined to make this possible.
He began by asking Johnson to tell him quite frankly the difficulties which would confront any foreigner who approached this situation with the end he had in view.
Relieved by this decidedly frank inquiry, Johnson outlined the situation just as frankly.
In fact, he talked to Cowperwood as he had talked to Stane about his personal position, making it perfectly clear that he believed his employers to be stubborn and even obtuse, in failing to take account of the great social and economic changes which were slowly but surely developing here.