“you may know someone who would, and perhaps advise us in regard to that person. Of course, we are brokers, and we would like to see Mr. Cowperwood interested, in order that we might come in for our share of the brokerage, which is naturally part of an undertaking like this.”
Johnson sat at his desk and stared, not at either Jarkins or Kloorfain, but at the floor.
“Ahem!” he began. “Mr. Cowperwood is an American multimillionaire. He has had enormous experience in running street railways and elevated roads, I believe, in Chicago and elsewhere. I am supposed to interest him in solving the London underground problem. And if I do, I am supposed to pay you—or at least see that you are paid—for getting Mr. Cowperwood to help some other Londoners interested in the traction field to make money.” He looked up, eyebrows lifted, while Jarkins stared knowingly but without deigning to comment.
“Very practical, I must say,” continued Johnson, “and I don’t doubt there are quite a few who might be benefited, and, again, who might not be. London underground problems are very great. Too many lines already planned, too many different companies to be harmonized, too many acts already acquired by speculators and promoters without a shilling between them.” He stared depressingly at the two men. “A great deal of money would be required, millions of pounds, not less than twenty-five millions, I should say.” He pressed his hands together almost sadly, so great was the financial weight of all this, “Of course, we are not unaware of Mr. Cowperwood over here. If I am not mistaken, there have been charges of various kinds made against him in Chicago—charges, I will admit, that should not stand in the way of the prosecution of a great public enterprise such as you two gentlemen are suggesting—but still, considering the conservatism of the English public . . .”
“Oh, you mean those political charges against his financial methods in Chicago,” interjected Jarkins defiantly at this point. “Merely politics, the work of financial rivals, jealous because of his success.”
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