"Suppose, for a moment, then," said, "that I abandon that possibility. Make your own proposals. I do not know who you are or what you stand for. I do not know whether this is an affair of private vengeance, or whether you stand for others. That poor fellow upstairs cannot have a long life before him in any case. What is there we can offer you to leave him in peace?"
"You two—nothing," Mr. Stanley said gravely. "He himself can buy his life from us, if he wills."
"Then can I—or Lady Dennisford here," I asked, "be your ambassador? Can we tell him your terms?"
Mr. Stanley shook his head.
"It is impossible," he said. "Matters would have to be discussed between us which may not even be mentioned before any other person."
"You mean that you would have to see him alone?"
"Precisely!"
I turned to Lady Dennisford.
"He would never consent!" I declared.
"You must make him," she answered. "Mr. Courage!"