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’Of course you wouldn’t solicit them to join you, Willia their portfolios Like your father and Charles Lester, they believe quite rightly that banking is about people and reputations’

Willia for Monday and the result of the boardin New York Willia, answering every telephone call personally, but he heard nothing as the ed into the afternoon He didn’t even leave the office for lunch, and Peter Parfitt finally called a little after six

’I’m afraid there’s been so words

Williani~s heart sank

’Nod - ,Ling for you to worry about since I still feel I have the situation well under control, but the board wants the right to oppose your nomination with their own candidate Soo as far as saying the relevant clause of ’the will has no real validity I’ve been given the unpleasant task of asking if you would be willing to fight an election against the board’s candidate’

’Who would be the board’s candidate?’ asked William

’No naine their choice will be Ted Leach No one else has shown the slightest interest in running against you’

’I’d like a little time to think about it,’ Willia be?’

’A week froet yourself all worked up about Ted Leach; I’m still confident that you in easily, and I’ll keep you inforoes by’

’Do you want me to come down to New York, Peter?’

’No, not for the moment I don’t think that would help matters!

William thanked hirn and put the phone down He packed his old leather briefcase and left the office, feelinga suitcase, caught up with hi lot

’I didn’t know you were going out of town, Tony!

’It’s only the monthly bankers’ dinner in New York I’ll be back by tomorrow afternoon I think I can safely leave Kane and Cabot for twenty - four hours in the capable hands of the next chairhed ’I may already be the ex - chairman,’ he said and explained the latest developain, William was surprised by Tony Simmons’reaction

,ies true that Ted Leach has always expected to be the next chairman of Lester’s,’ he e in financial circles But he’s a loyal servant of the bank, and I cant believe he would oppose Chaxles Lester’s express wishes’