He hesitated deliberately, and then continued, with a slight change of tone:
"There's something I want to tell you, Vane. I didn't care to bother you with it as long as you were worrying on your own account, but now—confidence for confidence. The fact of the matter is that I need money, and need it badly."
Andrew pursued his hacking.
"If that's all that's troubling you," he said, "I can probably make you a loan that will tide you over. I'll be very glad to, if I can. How much do you need?"
A workman slouched past them, his hands in the pockets of his corduroy trousers, his tam o' shanter pulled down over his eyes.
"No," said Radwalader, "I don't want to borrow; I might never be able to repay. But suppose I were to give you a piece of information—a tip—that was of the very greatest importance to you, mightn't it be worth a small sum?"
Andrew stared at him curiously.
"I don't understand," he said. "Do you mean that you know something that is very important to me?"
"Vastly important."
"And that is known to no one else?"