“But.…”
“It will be more use to me than to you.”
Mathis drew himself up. “I will not sell it to you.”
“But.…”
“I will give it to you. Here.…” He pulled a small nickel-plated revolver out of his hip pocket and thrust it in Graham’s hand. “No, please. It is nothing. I would like to do more.”
Graham thanked his stars for the impulse which had led him to apologize to the Mathises the previous day. “You have done more than enough.”
“Nothing! It is loaded, see? Here is the safety catch. There is a light pull on the trigger. You do not have to be a Hercules. Keep your arm straight when you fire … but I do not have to tell you.”
“I am grateful, Mathis. And you will go to the Turkish Consul as soon as you land.”
“It is understood.” He held out his hand. “I wish you luck, my friend,” he said with emotion. “If you are sure that there is nothing else that I can do.…”
“I am sure.”