human
What has become of the mill?
gpt
We have put an agent into it.
human
Is not that dangerous? What check have you on him?
gpt
He pays us a fixed sum, sir. But, my word! when there is such a thing as this on hand a trumpery mill like that is not worth speaking of.
human
You haven't sold it?
gpt
Well;--no. But we've arranged a price for a sale.
human
You haven't taken the money for it?
gpt
Well;--yes; we have. We've raised money on it, you know. You see you weren't there, and so the two resident partners acted for the firm. But Mr. Montague, you'd better go with us. You had indeed.
human
And about my own income?
gpt
That's a flea-bite. When we've got a little ahead with this it won't matter, sir, whether you spend twenty thousand or forty thousand dollars a year. We've got the concession from the United States Government through the territories, and we're in correspondence with the President of the Mexican Republic. I've no doubt we've an office open already in Mexico and another at Vera Cruz.
human
Where's the money to come from?
gpt
Money to come from, sir? Where do you suppose the money comes from in all these undertakings? If we can float the shares, the money'll come in quick enough. We hold three million dollars of the stock ourselves.
human
Six hundred thousand pounds!
gpt
We take them at par, of course,--and as we sell we shall pay for them. But of course we shall only sell at a premium. If we can run them up even to 110, there would be three hundred thousand dollars. But we'll do better than that. I must try and see Melmotte at once. You had better write a letter now.
human
I don't know the man.
gpt
Never mind. Look here--I'll write it, and you can sign it.