a grim tightening of jaw. "Leave that end to me.... Now your end is to
get the money."

"From the English and Canadian public."

"Naturally."

"You came to me because the English and Canadian public are prejudiced
against 'Yankee propositions.' You yourself couldn't float it in
England. On the other hand, I'm Canadian-born, and my name carries
weight both in England and in Canada."

"With the public," added Larssen, and there was a subtle emphasis on the
word "public," which carried a world of hidden meaning. Matheson had
been associated with other schemes which had a bad odour in the nostrils
of City men.

"With the public who provide the capital," answered the financier, and
his emphasis was on the word "capital." He continued. "With myself and
Sir Francis Letchmere and a few titled dummies on the Board--which is
what you want from me--the public will tumble over one another to take
up stock."

"Agreed."

"The capitalization you propose is £5,000,000 in Ordinary £1 Shares,
which the public will mostly take up. Also £200,000 in Deferred Shares
of the nominal value of one shilling each, which are to be allotted to
yourself as vendor. That gives you four million votes out of a total of
nine million, and for practical purposes means control."