Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/320

310 copper-colored india-rubber ball. "I challenge the votes!" he cried. "I demand a scrutiny! I hold the bulk of the shares in the company! I bought the vendor's forty thousand shares months ago!"

Morton rose and said quietly, "I represent the vendor. The shares have never passed out of her possession."

"It's a lie! " roared Pudleigh. "This is a conspiracy—a conspiracy to rob me!"

I rose and said, "Till that sale is proved, I propose to consider myself a duly qualified director, and to act as one."

"So do I," said Chelubai.

The little northern band applauded vigorously, and Pudleigh roared, "I shall fight this—right away to the House of Lords, if I have to!"

"I don't care," I said.

Again there was an uproar and Gutermann rose and came round the table to me, smiling. Pudleigh suddenly rushed round after him, and crying, "This is your doing, you dirty Jew! You think you're going to throw me out! But you aren't, and don't you think it!" He shook his fist in Gutermann's face.

I said very clearly and distinctly, "One more 'ug, ducky."

Pudleigh bounced round and stared at me with bulging eyes; his copper-colored face faded to a