In fact, my dear young friend, you could produce no proof that such a document ever existed at all!" "Do I understand you, then, that those letters, Mr.Mainwaring's included, would not be regarded as proof ?" Scott asked, with well-feigned surprise.
"Not of themselves with these people; I know them too well." Hobson shook his head decidedly, then continued, in oracular tones, "Remember, I am only speaking of your chances with them.
Mainwaring's letters were very guarded, mine scarcely less so.
They would have no weight whatever with men like Ralph Mainwaring or William Thornton.

They might even charge you with forging the whole thing.

The point is just this, Mr.Scott: in order to be able to get anything from these parties you must have complete data, absolute proof of every statement you are to make; and such data and proofs are in the possession of no one but myself.

So you see I am the only one who can assist you in this matter." "And what compensation would you demand for 'assisting' me ?" "We will not put it that way, Mr.Scott," Hobson replied, his small, malignant eyes gleaming with delight at the ease with which his prey was falling into his clutches.

"It is like this: Ralph Mainwaring and Thornton are prejudiced against me; I might not be able to work them as successfully as I could wish, but you and I could work together very smoothly.