‘Surely this is not meant as a question, or, at least, a question to be answered?’ said Atlee, smiling.
‘No, no, of course not,’ replied the other politely. ‘We are chatting together, if not like old friends, like men who have every element to become dear friends. We see life pretty much from the same point of view, Mr. Atlee, is it not so?’
‘It would be a great flattery to me to think it.’ And Joe’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
‘One has to make his choice somewhat early in the world, whether he will hunt or be hunted: I believe that is about the case.’
‘I suspect so.’
‘I did not take long to decide: I took my place with the wolves!’ Nothing could be more quietly uttered than these words; but there was a savage ferocity in his look as he said them that held Atlee almost spell-bound. ‘And you, Mr. Atlee? and you? I need scarcely ask where your choice fell!’ It was so palpable that the words meant a compliment, Atlee had only to smile a polite acceptance of them.
‘These letters,’ said the Greek, resuming, and like one who had not mentally lapsed from the theme—‘these letters are all that my lord deems them. They are the very stuff that, in your country of publicity and free discussion, would make or mar the very best reputations amongst you. And,’ added he, after a pause, ‘there are none of them destroyed, none!’
‘He is aware of that.’
‘No, he is not aware of it to the extent I speak of, for many of the documents that he believed he saw burned in his own presence, on his own hearth, are here, here in the room we sit in! So that I am in the proud position of being able to vindicate his policy in many cases where his memory might prove weak or fallacious.’
‘Although I know Lord Danesbury’s value for these papers does not bear out your own, I will not suffer myself to discuss the point. I return at once to what I have come for. Shall I make you an offer in money for them, Monsieur Kostalergi?’