"Whilst we are on the subject of the Traction shares, I want to ask about the statement I filed in regard to the assets of the company. Was it right?" For a week the doctor had been trying to put this question. "Of we three, I'm the only director—you're not in it and Ronnie isn't in it, if there is anything wrong, I should be the goat?"
Steppe's voice was milder. Here was a topic to be avoided.
"Huh! You're all right. What are you frightened about?"
"I'm not frightened, but you had the draft?"
"It is in the safe," said Steppe with some satisfaction.
"Steppe, how do we stand there?" asked the doctor urgently. "I know Moropulos was doing work for you of a sort. What was his position and Sault's? Is that the safe which Sault made? He told me about it some time ago."
Steppe turned his head again in Ronald's direction.
"You went to the trial! You saw him! You've seen him before—what do you think of him—clever, huh?"
"Well, I don't know—"
"Of course he's clever, you fool," said the other contemptuously. "If you had his brains and his principles, you'd be a big man. Remember that—a big man."