Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"And that's why you're going to publish this article."

"Several articles. And I'll hold meetings, make speeches, lobby members of Parliament, and try to get an appointment with the foreign secretary: anything to undermine the financing of this railway."

It might work, too, Hugh thought. Investors would shy away from anything controversial. It struck him that Tonio had changed a lot, from the young tearaway who couldn't stop gambling into the sober adult who campaigned against ill-treatment of miners. "So why have you come to me?"

"We could shortcut the process. If the bank decides not to underwrite the railway bonds, I won't publish the article. That way, you avoid a great deal of unpleasant publicity and I get what I want too." Tonio gave an embarrassed smile. "I hope you don't think of this as blackmail. It is a bit crude, I know, but nowhere near as crude as flogging children in a nitrate mine."

Hugh shook his head. "Not crude at all. I admire your crusading spirit. The consequences for the bank don't affect me directly--I'm about to resign."

"Really!" Tonio was astonished. "Why?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you another time. However, the upshot is that all I can do is tell the partners that you've approached me with this proposition. They can decide how they feel about it and what they want to do. I'm quite sure they won't ask my opinion." He was still holding Tonio's manuscript. "May I keep this?"

"Yes. I have a copy."

The sheets of paper bore the letterhead of the Hotel Russe, Berwick Street, Soho. Hugh had never heard of it: it was not one of London's fancy establishments. "I'll let you know what the partners say."

"Thank you." Tonio changed the subject. "I'm sorry our conversation has been all business. Let's get together and talk about the old days."

"You must meet my wife."

"I'd love to."

"I'll get in touch." Hugh left the coffeehouse and walked back to the bank. When he looked at the big clock in the banking hall he was surprised it was not yet one o'clock: so much had happened this morning. He went straight to the Partners' Room, where he found Samuel, Joseph and Edward. He handed Tonio's article to Samuel, who read it and passed it on to Edward.

Edward became apoplectic with rage and was unable to finish it. He went red in the face, pointed his finger at Hugh and said: "You've cooked this up with your old school friend! You're trying to undermine our entire South American business! You're just jealous of me because you weren't made a partner!"