"I say so. Lord Derrington has told me all."
"All what?" demanded Bawdsey, willfully ignorant.
"All that took place on the night when you came to this house to impersonate him."
Bawdsey laughed, and his face cleared. "If that is your disagreeable business, sir, I can easily put that to rights."
"Can you explain why you drugged him, why you threatened him?"
"I did not threaten him."
"Lord Derrington informed me that you threatened to get him into trouble. That was why he consulted me, and that is why I have come to tell you that if you fight Lord Derrington you will fight me also. Lord Derrington is old, but I am young, and I am quite equal to dealing with you."
"I never denied that," said Bawdsey, calmly. "I quite recognize that you are a strong man, Mr. Vane, although it is not to my interest to admit as much."
"That's your business," rejoined George, coolly. "I play with all my cards on the table. What those are which you have concealed I do not know, but I am quite prepared to play the game. And at the present moment you need not call me by my father's name. I have not yet assumed my position. When I do, George Vane will have nothing to do with you."
"But George Brendon has," said Bawdsey, with a flash of his eyes. "Don't press too hard, Mr. Brendon. I am willing to do you a service, and you are misjudging me."