“No one wants law and order more than I,” said Landover.
“And I suppose Manuel Crust is of the same mind, eh?”
“So far as I know, he is,” replied the other firmly.
Percival looked at him in blank astonishment. “Well, I'm damned!” he said, after a moment. “Do you really believe that?”
“It does not follow that he is an advocate of lawlessness and disorder because he happens to be opposed to some of your pet schemes, does it, Mr. Percival?” inquired Landover ironically.
“One of my pet schemes happens to conflict seriously with Manuel's pet scheme, if that will strengthen your argument any, Mr. Landover.”
“I don't believe Crust ever had any such thought,” said the other flatly.
“We're not getting anywhere by arguing the point,” said Percival. He turned to walk away.
“Just a moment,” called out Landover, after the younger man had taken a few steps. “See here, Percival, I don't want you to misunderstand me. If there is anything in this talk about Crust,—you know what I mean,—and if it should come to the point where stern measures are required, I will be with you, heart and soul. You know that, don't you?”
Percival studied the banker's face for a moment. “I've never doubted it for an instant, Landover. We may yet shake hands and be friends in spite of ourselves.”