Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh understood why he was so hysterical. The South American trade was Edward's only significant contribution to business. If that went he was useless. Hugh sighed. "You were Bonehead Ned at school, and you still are," he said. "The question is whether the bank wants to be responsible for increasing the power and influence of Papa Miranda, a man who apparently thinks nothing of flogging women and murdering children."

"I don't believe that!" Edward said. "The Silva family are enemies of the Mirandas. This is just malicious propaganda."

"I'm sure that's what your friend Micky will say. But is it true?"

Uncle Joseph looked suspiciously at Hugh. "You came in here just a few hours ago and tried to talk me out of this issue. I have to wonder whether this whole thing isn't some scheme to undermine Edward's first major piece of business as a partner."

Hugh stood up. "If you're going to cast doubt on my good faith I'll leave right away."

Uncle Samuel stepped in. "Sit down, Hugh," he said. "We don't have to find out whether this tale is true or not. We're bankers, not judges. The fact that the Santamaria railroad is going to be controversial makes the bond issue riskier, and that means we have to reconsider."

Uncle Joseph said aggressively: "I'm not willing to be bullied. Let this South American popinjay publish his article and go to the devil."

"That's one way to handle it," Samuel mused, treating Joseph's belligerence more seriously than it deserved. "We can wait and see what effect the article has on the price of existing South American stocks: there aren't many, but it's enough to serve as a gauge. If they crash, we'll cancel the Santamaria railroad. If not, we go ahead."

Joseph, somewhat mollified, said: "I don't mind submitting to the decision of the market."

"There is one other option we might consider," Samuel went on. "We could get another bank to come in with us on the issue of bonds, and float it jointly. That way, any hostile publicity would be enfeebled by having a divided target."

That made a lot of sense, Hugh thought. It was not what he would have done: he would prefer to cancel the bond issue. But the strategy worked out by Samuel would minimize the risk, and that was what banking was all about. Samuel was a much better banker than Joseph.

"All right," Joseph said with his usual impulsiveness. "Edward, see if you can find us a partner."

"Who should I approach?" Edward said anxiously. Hugh realized he had no idea how to go about something like this.