Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/295

 have led you to my door in every instance. I am the owner of the Surrey and Southern Counties Bank, Mr. Mackeller. Corbitt, tell your competitor who owns Selwyn's Bank."

"Selwyn's Bank is owned by Earl Stranleigh of Wychwood."

"Now, gentlemen, don't you see how easy the solution is? We will amalgamate these two banks, and call the result, say, Selwyn's and Southern Counties. Selwyn's has a splendid array of customers engaged in business. The Southern Counties has a conservative body of patrons from the landed aristocracy. The amalgamated company will boast of both respectability and energy. Now, Alexander Corbitt, I offer you the choice of being president of the new combination, or its business manager. Sir George Selwyn has written to me that he wishes to retire."

"I would rather be business manager," said Corbitt promptly, "so long as I am not interfered with too much by my nominal superior."

"You shall be untrammelled. I guarantee that."

"Then I suppose you take the presidency yourself, Stranleigh?"

"No. I offer that to Mr. Peter Mackeller."

Peter's head sunk into his hands.