"A service—why?"
"Because I'm hated—because the Lead Trust wants my blood, and will have yours too if you appoint me."
"Ah, that's the real reason, then—you're afraid of the 'Spy'?"
"Afraid—?"
The Governor continued to speak with dry deliberation. "Evidently, then, you know what they mean to say."
Fleetwood laughed. "One needn't do that to be sure it will be abominable!"
"Who cares how abominable it is if it isn't true?"
Fleetwood shrugged his shoulders and was silent. Shackwell, from a distant seat, uttered a faint protesting sound, but no one heeded him. The Governor stood squarely before Fleetwood, his hands in his pockets. "It is true, then?" he demanded.
"What is true?"
"What the 'Spy' means to say—that you bought my wife's influence to get your first appointment."