"He was."
"Master Basil," said Old Corrie, gravely, "you were never fit to battle with human nature; you never understood the worst half of it."
"Perhaps not, Corrie, but I understand it now. Newman Chaytor is a black-hearted villain."
"I am not surprised to hear you say so; I had my suspicions of him from the first. Unreasonable, I grant you, no grounds to go upon; but there they were, and I am sorry, for your sake, that they proved true. Where's my gentleman now?"
"In Europe, somewhere. I am hunting for him; it will be a dark day for the traitor when I come face to face with him."
Old Corrie looked at Basil keenly from under his eyebrows. "Do you want my assistance here?" he asked.
"I do. You must be with me, by my side, when he and I are together. With your aid, I succeed; without it, I fail. Do you require an incentive? I will give you two."
"I require none; it is sufficient that you want me and that you believe I can be of assistance to you."
"Still, I will give you the two incentives. One is, that it is not alone Newman Chaytor I am fighting: linked with him, if I have not been misinformed, is an associate worthy of him--Gilbert Bidaud."
"Little lady's uncle. A precious pair, he and Chaytor. If I needed spurring, this would do it."