human
You are free to-day, Mr. Wylie?
gpt
I am, Mr. Cassilis.
human
Good. Do you remember last year writing a short political pamphlet--I think at my suggestion--on the prospects of Patagonian bond-holders?
gpt
You gave me all the information, you know.
human
That is, you found the papers in my outer office, to which all the world has access, and on them you based your opinion.
gpt
Quite so, said the pamphleteer.
human
I also found five-and-twenty pounds in gold on your secretary's table the day after the pamphlet appeared.
gpt
Ah! Possibly--perhaps my secretary had private reasons of his own for----
human
Let us talk business, Mr. Cassilis, said the author a little roughly.
gpt
You want me to do something. What is it?
human
Do you know the affairs of Eldorado?
gpt
I have heard of Eldorado bonds. Of course, I have no bonds either of Eldorado or any other stock.
human
I have here certain papers--published papers--on the resources of the country, said Mr. Cassilis.
gpt
I think it might pay a clever man to read them. He would probably arrive at the conclusion that the Republic, with its present income, cannot hope to pay its dividends----
human
Must smash up, in short.
gpt
Do not interrupt. But with any assurance of activity and honesty in the application of its borrowed money, there seems, if this paper is correct--it is published in New York--no doubt that the internal resources would be more than sufficient to carry the State triumphantly through any difficulty.
human
Is it a quick job, or a job that may wait?
gpt
I dislike calling things jobs, Mr. Wylie. I give you a suggestion which may or may not be useful. If it is useful--it is now half-past twelve o'clock--the pamphlet should be advertised in to-morrow's papers, in the printer's hand by four, and ready on every counter by ten o'clock in the morning. Make your own arrangements with printers, and call on me to-morrow with the pamphlet. On me, mind, not Mr. Mowll.
human
Yes--and--and----
gpt
And, perhaps, if the pamphlet is clever, and expresses a just view of Eldorado and its obligations, there may be double the sum that you once found on my secretary's table.