Pinto's words slipped glibly from his tongue, but Phillopolis was unimpressed.
"I know when I've had enough," he said. "I've got my passport and I'm clearing out at the end of this week."
"Does the colonel know this?"
The Greek raised his shoulders indifferently.
"I don't know whether he does or whether he doesn't," he said. "Anyway, Boundary and I are only remotely connected in business, and my movements are no affair of his."
He looked curiously at the other.
"I wonder that a man like you, who is in the heart of things, stays on when the net is drawing round the old man."
"Loyalty is a vice with me," said Pinto virtuously. "Besides, there's no reason to bolt—as yet."
"I'm going whilst I'm safe," said Phillopolis, sipping his champagne. "At present the police have nothing against me and I'm going to take good care they have nothing. That's where I've the advantage of people like you."
Pinto smiled.