"You think so? To me, it is not a great thing, so that he will do what I wish."
Benham smiled knowingly as he answered, with a wink,
"At any rate, most people think so. And I'll tell you what, Gaspard, I hate that fellow. He's wronged me—me, I tell you, and, by God, he shall smart for it!"
"Oh, if it is a personal quarrel," murmured François, with the air of not desiring to intrude in a matter which concerned two gentlemen alone.
"Every one'll know it in a few days," said Benham, "and then Mr. Medland's bust up, and all the lot of you with him. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, friend Gaspard."
"And at present no one knows it but you?"
If Benham had answered truly he would have been wise, but his vaunting mind persuaded him not to diminish his importance by confessing that he shared his secret with any one. After all, it was all his secret, though Kilshaw had bought it.
"Not a soul alive!" he answered, rising to go.
"Ah, then yours is a life valuable to your party. Wrap up, my friend, wrap up. It is chilly outside."