There was a pause; then he looked over his glass, and said:
"What's you little game at the present moment, Orme?"
Sir Stephen looked at him interrogatively, as if he were still rather confused by the terrible scene which they had gone through.
"Why have you built this place and got all these people here?" said Falconer. "I know enough of Wirsch and Griffinberg and the Beltons to be aware that they wouldn't come down to the lakes at this time of the year unless there was something worth coming for, something—and a pretty good sum—to be made."
Sir Stephen looked down at the floor for a moment, as if he were considering; then he leant forward.
"I'll tell you," he said, with an air of decision, and with a return of his usual coolness and aplomb. A dash of colour rose to his face, his fine eyes grew bright; he was the "man of affairs," the great financier again. "It's Africa this time," he said, in a low voice, and with a glance at the door. "I've another treaty—"
Falconer nodded.
"I am making for a concession—a charter from the government."
Falconer nodded again.
"And I want a railway from Danville to Bualbec." His voice almost sank to a whisper. "Griffinberg, Wirsch, and the rest are with me—or nearly so—I have got them down to clench the matter. There are millions in it—if I can bring it off; there is what is worth more than millions to me—"
Falconer nodded.