"Because I decline a reply?"
"Because you allow me to see that you are on good terms with the man I employ. A clever diplomatist would have allowed me to think that Bawdsey was hostile and so have used the man against me."
"There is no need for me to stoop to such crooked ways," said Brendon, with some scorn, "and I always find the truth tells in the long run."
"Ah! You've never been an ambassador."
"When I am, I shall still tell the truth."
Derrington smiled grimly. "Oh, then, it is your intention to enter political life?"
"I think we discussed that fully the other evening."
Derrington sat down and leaned his elbows on the table. His temper was rising, as he was not accustomed to be treated in this off-hand way. "Come, sir, let us understand one another. State the situation so as to clear the ground for a proper argument."
"Certainly," said George, with frigid politeness. "You know who I am, I understand."
"No, I don't. So far as I know you are George Brendon. I met you at Mrs. Ward's, and----"