My esteemed relative's shrug was as complete a repudiation of such a charge as might be desired. I enjoyed it with mixed feelings because I was beginning to see the writing on the wall.
"I had not Martin in mind," he replied now; "but one whose life means to me more than my own."
"The man does not live," Flint swore roundly.
"He sits across the table," returned Murray. "My grandnephew and heir. I will go so far as to assert that the only reason I concern myself with this exploit is that I may secure estate and preferment for him."
Flint eyed him shrewdly, looked from him to me and from me to him.
"Your grandnephew, you say? Humph! Long John says you're choice o' him. Still— No, I like not your terms, Murray. They offer too little."
"They are the best I can offer," answered Murray definitely. "I will add, that there may be no misunderstandings, Flint, that the odd seven hundred thousand pounds goes to promote the interest of a cause, and not to line the pockets of Spanish officials, as you may suspect; and it is highly probable that considerable of my share will follow it."
The captain of the Walrus wiped a rumspot from the table and tipped the earthen flask bottom up above his beaker.
"'Tis a heavy commission to pay," he said. "Eight hundred thousand pounds out of a million and a half."
"That or nothing," declared Murray.