"Unless he mentioned fifty thousand, he did," said Harry firmly.
"H'm, I did you injustice, Major—with some excuse, though. Surely, Mr Sloyd——?" He turned away from Harry as he spoke.
"I beg pardon," interrupted Harry. "Am I to talk to Major Duplay?"
Iver looked at him curiously. "Well, I'd rather talk to you, Harry," he said. "And I'll tell you plainly what I think. Mr Sloyd's a young business man—so are you."
"I'm a baby," Harry agreed.
"And blackmailing big people isn't a good way to start." He watched Harry, but he did not forget to watch Sloyd too. "Of course I use the word in a figurative sense. The estate's not worth half that money to you; we happen to want it—Oh, I'm always open!—So——" He gave a shrug.
"Sorry to introduce new and immoral methods into business, Mr Iver. It must be painful to you after all these years." Harry laughed good-humoredly. "I shall corrupt the Major too!" he added.
"We'll give you five thousand for your bargain—twenty-five in all."
"I suggested to Major Duplay that being ahead of you was so rare an achievement that it ought to be properly recognized."