‘You don’t consider that the fact that Humbert has taken a leading part against us marks him out for destruction?’
‘No, I don’t; I don’t believe he is any worse than the others.’
‘Very well; admitting that, for the sake of argument; if I were to prove to you that Humbert’s death would benefit the cause specially in other ways, what would you say?’
‘If I believed that, I should most likely consent.’
‘Good! That is what I expected. Now you understand that what I am going to tell you must be in the very greatest confidence.’
I nodded.
‘The removal of Humbert will put funds at our disposal for other work.’
At last I was on the trail. Carefully concealing my excitement under an appearance of natural curiosity, I inquired: ‘How is that, comrade?’
‘You must not ask too much. I have only got authority to tell you that it is so. A sum of money will be ours as soon as Humbert is dead.’
‘And you will not tell me how or why?’