Dredlinton waved a nervous hand towards him.
"One moment, please," he begged, "I have just a few words to say to
Mr. Wingate."
The latter glanced at the clock.
"I hope you will say them as quickly as possible," he enjoined. "I have a busy morning."
Dredlinton leaned over Phipps' chair. There was a sinister meaning in his hoarse whisper.
"Leave me alone with him for a moment," he suggested. "Perhaps I may be able to earn that two thousand pounds."
Phipps rose at once from his chair and made his way towards the door.
"Lord Dredlinton wishes to have a word with you, Mr. Wingate," he said. "I shall be on the premises, in case by any fortunate chance you should decide to change your mind."
CHAPTER XV
Dredlinton sank into Phipps' vacated chair and leaned back with his hands in his trousers pockets. He had the air of a man fortified by a certain amount of bravado,—stimulated by some evil purpose.