"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 033 - The Living Joss" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Our discussion," began Hartnett, "involves the affairs of the Huxley Corporation. Mr. Goodall, as
president of that concern, approached my client, Mr. Barton Schofield, and requested this conference.
Mr. Schofield agreed to it.

"This meeting, gentlemen, is actually a secret assemblage of the principal shareholders in Huxley
Corporation stock. I, therefore, go on record as expressing my disapproval of it at the outset. You may
speak now, Mr. Goodall."

Westley Hartnett took his chair beside Barton Schofield, and held a whispered conversation with his
client. Blaine Goodall, the corporation president, arose. Chewing his lips in nervous fashion, he
addressed the other men.

"Mr. Hartnett is right," he said lamely. "This meeting is irregular, but I was induced to arrange it. The story
is simply this. In about three months from now, Amalgamated Enterprises will make a strong bid for the
controlling interest in Huxley Corporation. It will be possible, at that time, for a group of majority holders
to sell their stock at a price equivalent to what Amalgamated Enterprises would pay for the entire
acquisition, if forced to buy shares on the open market.

"Amalgamated Enterprises has the impression that the controlling interest of Huxley Corporation is in the
hands of a small group headed by Mr. Barton Schofield. In fact, they are ready to believe that Mr.
Schofield himself has more than fifty per cent of the Huxley shares. Such, however, is not the case.

"While I was wondering about this matter, I was approached by David Moultrie" - he indicated the
largemouthed man - "who had already spoken to Doctor Zelka. Mr. Moultrie is a gentleman who deals in
corporation stocks. He stated that Doctor Zelka, like Mr. Schofield, held blocks of Huxley shares. He
suggested that we form the group which is believed to exist.

"Mr. Schofield and Doctor Zelka will pool their interests. I am to keep silent on Huxley affairs while Mr.
Moultrie buys up loose shares. We will then have the controlling interest that we seek."

David Moultrie arose as Blaine Goodall ceased speaking. With his leering grin, this fellow followed up
the conservative statements of the corporation president.

"Let me get to work," he suggested, "and I'll buy up Huxley shares for next to nothing. If Goodall here
keeps quiet, it will be soft. I'll make it look like Huxley is going to the dogs -"

"In other words," interposed Hartnett, his eyes blazing, "you plan to manipulate Huxley stock - to deceive
the present shareholders -"

"Yes!" asserted Goodall. "That's just what I can do. I can swing it for two million dollars' profit - maybe
more - and your client there will get his big cut out of it."

"One moment," ordered Hartnett, rising. "I have discussed this matter with Mr. Schofield. He is a man of
integrity, a retired banker, whose name has never been smirched by any stigma. Mr. Schofield is willing
to go into the open market, to buy Huxley shares on a legitimate basis, and thus to acquire a controlling
interest. But to follow the scheme that you suggest - that would be an outrage! There is your answer,
Moultrie!"

"Yes?" Moultrie grinned. "Try it! That's where I've got you blocked. Doctor Zelka, here, holds enough
stock to give me a start. Go out and try to beat me, Hartnett. I'll kill your game. I'll drive Huxley stock