“Mine? There’s no money of mine in it! I don’t own an ounce of the muck. Practically all that was left of my money went into the Astarte. But of course that makes no difference. It makes me feel all the more a worm. I was in at it, and it’s they who lose.”
I suppose it was in a sense not a very essential point, and yet I rejoiced exceedingly to know that Edmund was not financially interested in this wretched enterprise; not directly, that is, for of course he was privy to it, and it was obviously part of the business of the Astarte. I recollected with a twinge that I owned more of the Astarte than Edmund did. But then I was not privy to the business.
“Who are the other people concerned?”
“There’s Jakoub, of course, and Van Ermengen, and the other scoundrelly native who was coming for the stuff to-day.”
“Well, there’s no use any of these people trying to prevent our having the stuff removed and destroyed quietly. As a matter of fact, the situation is that I offer to permit its destruction. The alternative is handing it—and them—over to the police. You have got to act for me in the matter. You must see them and explain. Then you must help me to get it destroyed. And I must see it destroyed myself.”
“That can’t be done in Egypt.”
“Then it must be got out of Egypt.”
“If it wasn’t for old Welfare, I’d rather you did tell the police. But it would be terribly hard on him. It was a fearful temptation, and I know he tried to keep out of it. Better men than he is might have given in.”
“I quite agree. It’s just because we’ve got to consider Welfare that I propose this plan. You and he must carry it out.”
“Yes; I see that. I don’t know if it’s possible, but, by God, I’m glad to have the chance of trying!”