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Authors: Freeman Wills Crofts
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and a hearty manner. His eyes were small like a pig’s and twinkled with such shrewdness that Morrison felt he was a man to be watched. This was Meaker, Stott’s solicitor. The other older man was tall and well built, with good features, a firm mouth, and the air of one who expects to be first in whatever society he may find himself. Royal Navy Reserve, Morrison speculated, and soon he found he was correct. The man was Captain Gladstone, and he was going to take command of the
Hellenic
. Both younger men were pleasant-looking and seemed decent and quietly efficient. One was Gillow, Stott’s advertising manager, the other Whitaker, a private secretary, brought apparently to act as secretary to the meeting.
Morrison was briefly introduced as the man who was going to manage transport to and from the ship, and all having taken their places round the table, the proceedings opened.
Stott, Morrison quickly saw, was a good chairman. He wasted no time with preliminaries, but came plump to business with his first phrase. His remarks were delivered in a quiet but forceful tone and with greater courtesy than Morrison had somehow expected.
“We have met,” he began, “at the offset of an undertaking which we hope may be profitable to all of us, and our first business is to make sure that all of us are in sympathy with the policy to be adopted. This is obviously necessary for everyone who signs any hard and fast agreement to become associated with it. I need scarcely add the converse. Anyone who is not satisfied with our proposals should avoid service with us.” As Stott ended he looked gravely and questioningly at Captain Gladstone, Bristow and Morrison, as if he doubted their right to be there.
The words and gesture caused Morrison some surprise as well as a slight feeling of misgiving. There surely could be no question either as to policy or the desire of all present to carry it out? Wasn’t that the very purpose for which they were assembled? He glanced at Bristow and saw the same doubt reflected in his expression.
“As you know,” went on Stott, “the idea of buying a big ship which would otherwise be broken up, and using her for cruising round the British Isles, is due entirely to Bristow, and with Morrison’s help he put his case very admirably before me. I thought there was something in it, though not as much as he suggested. I therefore agreed to think over the proposal and give a decision later. That decision, if favourable, would involve an agreement to bear the entire cost of the enterprise, and therefore to own it, as I should not be interested in anything less than control. I signed an agreement with Bristow as to his share in the profits, should the affair materialise, and the remuneration of the other four has been mutually agreed on – that is, provided they still wish to act.
“As I expected, the reports of the experts to whom I submitted the scheme were favourable, but not nearly so favourable as were Bristow’s figures. I considered the matter carefully, and had almost decided not to touch it, when a further idea occurred to me, and one which I thought would ensure its success. Here I intended to make new enquiries and get out fresh figures, but an unfortunate incident of which you are all aware forced my hand, and I had to buy before my investigations were complete. However, they have now been finished, and I may say that the result is wholly satisfactory. I am now convinced that, as modified, the venture is likely to prove highly profitable. I may also point out that the
Hellenic
is now my property and that I have a right to use her as I think fit. Further, I think we all know that no other ship of similar type is likely to be on the market for some years.”
Stott spoke rather grimly and both words and tone added to Morrison’s surprise and apprehension. However, before he could analyse his impressions, Stott resumed: “This new idea will involve certain departures from the original plans.
Hellenic
. Both younger men were pleasant-looking and seemed decent and quietly efficient. One was Gillow, Stott’s advertising manager, the other Whitaker, a private secretary, brought apparently to act as secretary to the meeting.
Morrison was briefly introduced as the man who was going to manage transport to and from the ship, and all having taken their places round the table, the proceedings opened.
Stott, Morrison quickly saw, was a good chairman. He wasted no time with preliminaries, but came plump to business with his first phrase. His remarks were delivered in a quiet but forceful tone and with greater courtesy than Morrison had somehow expected.
“We have met,” he began, “at the offset of an undertaking which we hope may be profitable to all of us, and our first business is to make sure that all of us are in sympathy with the policy to be adopted. This is obviously necessary for everyone who signs any hard and fast agreement to become associated with it. I need scarcely add the converse. Anyone who is not satisfied with our proposals should avoid service with us.” As Stott ended he looked gravely and questioningly at Captain Gladstone, Bristow and Morrison, as if he doubted their right to be there.
The words and gesture caused Morrison some surprise as well as a slight feeling of misgiving. There surely could be no question either as to policy or the desire of all present to carry it out? Wasn’t that the very purpose for which they were assembled? He glanced at Bristow and saw the same doubt reflected in his expression.
“As you know,” went on Stott, “the idea of buying a big ship which would otherwise be broken up, and using her for cruising round the British Isles, is due entirely to Bristow, and with Morrison’s help he put his case very admirably before me. I thought there was something in it, though not as much as he suggested. I therefore agreed to think over the proposal and give a decision later. That decision, if favourable, would involve an agreement to bear the entire cost of the enterprise, and therefore to own it, as I should not be interested in anything less than control. I signed an agreement with Bristow as to his share in the profits, should the affair materialise, and the remuneration of the other four has been mutually agreed on – that is, provided they still wish to act.
“As I expected, the reports of the experts to whom I submitted the scheme were favourable, but not nearly so favourable as were Bristow’s figures. I considered the matter carefully, and had almost decided not to touch it, when a further idea occurred to me, and one which I thought would ensure its success. Here I intended to make new enquiries and get out fresh figures, but an unfortunate incident of which you are all aware forced my hand, and I had to buy before my investigations were complete. However, they have now been finished, and I may say that the result is wholly satisfactory. I am now convinced that, as modified, the venture is likely to prove highly profitable. I may also point out that the
Hellenic
is now my property and that I have a right to use her as I think fit. Further, I think we all know that no other ship of similar type is likely to be on the market for some years.”
Stott spoke rather grimly and both words and tone added to Morrison’s surprise and apprehension. However, before he could analyse his impressions, Stott resumed: “This new idea will involve certain departures from the original plans.
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