Crozier calmly withdrew the cartridges and then tossed the weapon back on
the table.
"Now we have equality of opportunity," he remarked quietly. "If you
think you would like to repeat any slander that's slid off your foul
tongue, do it now; and in a moment or two Mrs. Tynan can turn the hose on
the floor of this room."
"I want to get to business," said Burlingame sullenly, as he took from
his pocket a paper.
Crozier nodded. "I can imagine your haste," he remarked. "You need all
the fees you can get to pay Belle Bingley's bills."
Burlingame did not wince. He made no reply to the challenge that he was
the chief supporter of a certain wanton thereabouts.
"The time for your option to take ten thousand dollars' worth of shares
in the syndicate is up," he said; "and I am instructed to inform you that
Messrs. Bradley, Willingden, Baxter, & Simmons propose to take over your
unpaid shares and to complete the transaction without you."
"Who informed Messrs. Bradley, Willingden, Baxter, & Simmons that I am
not prepared to pay for my shares?" asked Crozier sharply.
"The time is up," surlily replied Burlingame. "It is assumed you can't
take up your shares, and that you don't want to do so. The time us up,"
he added emphatically, and he tapped the paper spread before him on the
table.
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