go as far as five thousand (over and above the twenty thousand of
course)--to cover absolutely everything, you know."

"Multiply your twenty-five by two, and we're your men," said Harry.

"Multiply it by two? Fifty thousand? Oh, nonsense!"

"Twenty out of pocket--thirty profit. I call it very reasonable."

Major Duplay rose with a decisive air.

"I'm afraid I'm wasting your time," he said, "and my own too. I must say
good-afternoon."

"Pray, Major Duplay, don't be so abrupt, sir. We've----" It was Sloyd
who spoke, with an eager gesture as though he would detain the visitor.
Harry turned on him with his ugliest haughtiest scowl.

"I thought you'd left this to me, Sloyd?" he said.

Sloyd subsided, apologetic but evidently terrified. Alas, that the grit
had been supplied! But for that a triumph must have awaited the Major.
Harry turned to Duplay.

"I asked you before if you'd authority to treat. I ask you now if you've
authority to refuse to treat."

"I've authority to refuse to discuss absurdities."

"Doubtless. And to settle what are absurdities? Look here. I don't ask
you to accept that proposal without referring to Mr Iver. I merely say
that is the proposal, and that we give Mr Iver three days to consider
it. After that our offer is withdrawn."

Sloyd was biting his nails--aye, those nails that he got trimmed in
Regent Street twice a week; critical transactions must bring grist to
those skilled in manicure. Duplay glanced from his troubled face to
Harry's solid, composed, even amused mask.

"And you might add," Harry went on, "that it would be a very good thing
if Mr Iver saw his way to run up and have a talk with me. I think I
could make him see the thing from our point of view." Something seemed
to occur to him. "You must tell him that in ordinary circumstances I
should propose to call on him and to come wherever he was, but--well,
he'll understand that I don't want to go to Blentmouth just now."

The implied apology relieved what Duplay had begun to feel an
intolerable arrogance, but it was a concession of form only, and did not
touch the substance. The substance was and remained an ultimatum. The
Major felt aggrieved; he had been very anxious to carry his first
commission through triumphantly and with _eclat_. For the second time
Harry Tristram was in his path.

Harry rose. "That's all we can do to-day," he said. "We shall wait to
hear from Mr Iver."

"I really don't feel justified in putting su