these new companies to come in?"

"On the same basis as the others, if they are not too heavily
capitalized. I haven't thought out all the details. Two or three
for one, according to investment. Of course, the prejudices of
these old companies have to be considered."

Cowperwood meditated. Should or should he not entertain this
offer? Here was a chance to realize quickly by selling out to the
old companies. Only Schryhart, not himself, would be taking the
big end in this manipulative deal. Whereas if he waited--even if
Schryhart managed to combine the three old companies into one--he
might be able to force better terms. He was not sure. Finally
he asked, "How much stock of the new company would be left in your
hands--or in the hands of the organizing group--after each of the
old and new companies had been provided for on this basis?"

"Oh, possibly thirty-five or forty per cent. of the whole," replied
Schryhart, ingratiatingly. "The laborer is worthy of his hire."

"Quite so," replied Cowperwood, smiling, "but, seeing that I am
the man who has been cutting the pole to knock this persimmon it
seems to me that a pretty good share of that should come to me;
don't you think so?"

"Just what do you mean?"

"Just what I have said. I personally have organized the new
companies which have made this proposed combination possible. The
plan you propose is nothing more than what I have been proposing