The prospect cheered and terrified him alternately. At one moment the plan seemed foolproof. He would go into the cabin, take the gun, return to his own cabin, drop the gun out of the porthole and return to the saloon with a tremendous weight lifted from his shoulders. The next moment, however, doubts would begin to creep in. It was too simple. Banat might be insane but he was no fool. A man who earned his living in the way Banat earned his and who yet managed to stay alive and free was not going to be taken in so easily. Supposing he should guess what his victim had in mind, leave José in the middle of the game, and go to his cabin! Supposing he had bribed the steward to keep an eye on his cabin on the grounds that it contained valuables! Supposing …! But what was the alternative? Was he to wait passively while Banat chose the moment to kill him? It was all very well for Haki to talk about a marked man having only to defend himself; but what had he to defend himself with? When the enemy was as close as Banat was, the best defence was attack. Yes, that was it! Anything was better than just waiting. And the plan might well succeed. It was the simple plans of attack that did succeed. It would never occur to a man of Banat’s conceit to suspect that two could play at the game of stealing guns, that the helpless rabbit might bite back. He’d soon find out his mistake.
Josette and José came in with Banat. José appeared to be making himself amiable.
“… it is only necessary,” Mathis was concluding, “to say one word-Briey! When you have said that you have said all.”
Graham drained his glass. “Quite so. Will you all have another drink?”
The Mathis, looking startled, declined sharply; but Mr. Kuvetli nodded happily.
“Thank you, Mr. Graham. I will.”
Mathis stood up, frowning. “It is time that we got ready for dinner. Please excuse us.”
They went. Mr. Kuvetli moved his chair over.
“That was very sudden,” said Graham. “What’s the matter with them?”
“I think,” said Mr. Kuvetli carefully, “that they thought you are making joke of them.”