“Shall we go through into the bar?” he asked. “There’s very seldom any one there at this time.”
“Anywhere you say,” Bellamy answered. “It’s years since we had a drink together.”
They passed into the inner room and, finding it empty, drew two chairs into the further corner. Bellamy summoned the waiter.
“Two whiskies and sodas quick, Tim,” he ordered. “Now, Laverick, listen to me,” he added, as the waiter turned away. “We are alone for the moment but it won’t be for long. You know very well that it wasn’t to renew our schoolboy acquaintance that I’ve asked you to come in here with me.”
Laverick drew a little breath.
“Please go on,” he said. “I am as anxious as you can be to grasp this affair properly.”
“When we left school,” Bellamy remarked, “you were destined for the Stock Exchange. I went first to Magdalen. Did you ever hear what became of me afterwards?”
“I always understood,” Laverick answered, “that you went into one of the Government offices.”
“Quite right,” Bellamy assented. “I did. At this moment I have the honor to serve His Majesty.”
“Two thousand a year and two hours work a day,” Laverick laughed. “I know the sort of thing.”