“The special train which brought me here cost more than that, I am afraid,” he said. “Believe me, Duke, it is not a matter of money at all. The proprietors of my paper are millionaires. What they want is information. When I spoke of a compromise I meant something entirely different.”
“Perhaps you had better explain exactly what you mean,” Reist said, curtly. “I do not understand this Western journalism. It is new to me.”
Brand nodded.
“Good!” he said. “You want to keep this journey secret until you are safe in Theos. Very well, I will send no message to my people until you give me leave. Only you must supply me then with exclusive information. And you must see that I am the first to cable it from your country.”
“That is an agreement,” Reist answered, solemnly. “If you will keep to that I am satisfied.”
They were already in the Channel. A wave broke over the bows of the vessel, drenching them with spray. Brand led the way down-stairs.
“Since we are to be fellow-passengers,” he said, “let us drink to our prosperous journey—and Theos.”
Reist touched Ughtred’s arm upon the stairs.
“He is to be trusted, this friend of yours?” he whispered, anxiously.
“Implicitly,” Ughtred answered, with emphasis.