‘I was venturing to think, sir, that, after all, the document belonged to me by right of discovery. And since I have the misfortune to differ from you as to its monetary value——’
Simon Lock jumped up, and then he looked rather cautiously at Mr. Oakley’s somewhat muscular frame.
‘Look here——’ Simon Lock began imperatively.
‘In my hip-pocket I have a revolver, Mr. Lock,’ said Mr. Oakley. ‘Force, therefore, would be a mistake.’
‘I see,’ said Simon Lock. ‘Well, what do you think the thing worth?’
‘Ten thousand pounds,’ said Mr. Oakley imperturbably. ‘I will hand it over to you in exchange for a promissory note for that amount payable at three months.’
There was a long pause. Simon Lock had the precious gift of knowing when he was beaten.
‘I accept,’ he said.
‘Thank you; here is the document,’ said Oakley when he had received the promissory note.
After Simon Lock had transferred the paper to his own pocket he remarked: