As a matter of fact such a proceeding was not safe anyhow.
"I don't mind--" began Westlake, slowly fixing a beaming eye upon Sam, and crossing his hands ponderously upon his periphery; but before he could announce his benevolent intention, Mr.Stevens, with what might almost have been considered a malevolent glance toward Mr.Westlake, spoke up.
"I'll accept your proposition," he said with a jerk of his beard as his jaws snapped.

So Miss Westlake thought a great deal of Sam, eh?
And old Westlake knew it, eh?
And he had already subscribed enough stock to throw Sam control, eh?
"Thanks," said Sam, and shot Mr.Stevens a look of gratitude as he altered the subscription figures.
"Stop just a moment, Sam," put in Mr.Westlake.

"How many shares of common stock does that give you in combination with your bonus ?" "Two thousand two hundred and sixty," said Sam.
"Oh!" said Mr.Westlake musingly; "not enough for control by two hundred and forty one shares; so you won't mind, since you haven't enough for control anyhow, if I take up that additional two hundred and fifty shares of preferred, with its one hundred and twenty-five of common, myself." Sam once more paused and glanced over the subscription list.

As it stood now, aside from Princeman, there were two members, Westlake and Stevens, with whom, if he could get either one of them to do so, he could pool his common stock.

If he allowed Westlake to take up this additional two hundred and fifty shares, Westlake was the only string to his bow.
"No, thanks," said Sam.