"I say it means," he fairly yelled, "that we have been buncoed—swindled!"
"If that is a fact," I said, "you are the best man on earth to tackle such a proposition. Introducing swindlers to justice is your specialty."
"Lawson," said he, "let's talk it out. I don't see wherein you are in any way to blame, but I tell you if I find true what I now suspect, there will be music in the copper world that will set copper investors by the ears."
I saw there was no use trying to dodge the issue, and we entered into executive session. He had gathered most of the facts, he told me, and to ascertain the balance, proposed at once to call a meeting of Utah Consolidated stockholders. Also he had men out examining the transfer agencies to find who got the shares of Utah delivered to Rogers.
I said to him, "What do you think has happened, Untermyer?"
"I think you people have sold the bulk of that stock," he said.
"Suppose we have," I said; "there is no crime in that, is there?"
"No crime," said he, "but it is a piece of dirty double-dealing."
"All right, suppose I admit it," said I, "what of it?"
"Well, did you do it? Did you sell that stock after we delivered it to you?"
"Not a share," said I.
"Do you give me your word for it?"
"I give you my word, we didn't sell a share of that stock after you delivered it to us."
"When did you sell it?" said he.
"Every share before we secured it of you."