Now he tells me that he finds the prospect of earning some money instead of spending it a refreshing change." "It's lucky he didn't take his capital out of the Clermont," Thirlwell replied.
Scott laughed.

"He couldn't take it out.

Nobody would buy his share, and my fortune's represented by a shaft in danger of flooding and some cheap and antiquated boring plant.

In fact, if we don't strike pay-dirt soon, the Clermont will go broke, and I imagine that's why Brinsmead skipped.
After floating one or two small mines successfully, he has some reputation to lose, while I'm, of course, not an engineer or a business man." He paused and looked hard at Thirlwell.

"I'd like you to stay and see me through, but wouldn't blame you if you quit." "My reputation is not worth much and can be risked.