The light of an evil imagining
shone in his eyes.
"This is a matter which we ought to discuss in private conference," he
said slowly. "What do you think, Phipps?"
"I agree--"
"I am afraid," Wingate interrupted suavely, "that Mr. Phipps' views
will not affect the situation. You three gentlemen are my treasured
and honoured guests. I shall not desert you--as a matter of fact, I
shall scarcely leave you, except upon your own business--until your
decision is made."
"Guests be damned!" Dredlinton exclaimed. "It's my house--not yours!"
"Mine for a short time by appropriation," Wingate answered, with a
faint smile.
"Supposing," Rees suggested, "we were induced to knuckle under, to become
the victims of your damned blackmailing scheme, surely then one of us
would be allowed to go down to the City on parole, eh?"
Wingate shook his head.
"I regret to say that I should not feel justified in letting one of you
out of my sight. In the event of your seeing reason, the telephone will
be at your disposal, and a verbal message by its means could be confirmed
by all three of you. I imagine that your office would sell on such
instructions."
Phipps, who had been sitting during the last few minutes in a state
almost of torpor, began to show signs of his old vigorous self. He shook
his head firmly.
"This is a matter which need not be discussed," he declared.
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