There was a sudden hardening of his face, and I remembered Edmund saying, “Van Ermengen knows all about the consignment.” I was certain now that he did know all, that he was “in the trade.” It was evident too that he had assumed—how rightly!—that I knew nothing.
“But it is impossible,” he said; “they will be called for this afternoon.”
“Who says so?”
“Your dragoman told me.” He sucked in his lips with annoyance at being forced to this admission.
“My dragoman takes my orders.”
“He referred to your partners,” said Van Ermengen with a touch of insolence.
“I am waiting for my partners.”
Now that I had started, it seemed much easier than I had expected to assert myself. I had feared Van Ermengen. Now I saw that he began to fear me. I saw too that he was utterly puzzled by my demeanour.
“But your bedroom, sir? It is impossible. It will take a couple of Arabs all morning.”
“I will pay them.”