‘You don’t want to deliver? Why not?’ ‘Never mind why. The question is, what will you take to release us from the contract?’
‘Nothing.’
‘You’ll release us for nothing?’
‘I mean I can’t release you, Mr. Lock,’ said the man with formal politeness. ‘My clients have given me positive instructions.’
‘Who are your clients?’
‘That I am not at liberty to say.’
‘Tell me who your clients are,’ said Simon Lock, ‘and I’ll give you five thousand down.’
The man shook his head sadly. He would have liked that five thousand, but he dared not accept it.
‘Are you acting for Gaunt and Griffiths?’ asked Simon Lock.
‘No,’ said the man, glad to be able to give a positive answer.