Well, there was one thing certain; at the finish, control would be in his own hands! But how to secure it and still float the company promptly and advantageously?
There was the problem.

He liked this crowd.

They were good, keen, vigorous, enterprising men, fine men with whom to do business, men who would snatch control away from him if they could, and throw him out in the cold in a minute if they deemed it necessary or expedient.

Of course that was to be expected.

It was a part of the game.