"Yes; he's here. What led him to talk of the thing to an outsider?"
"Drink," said Clarke. "I'll own to having taken advantage of the condition he was often in."
Challoner, sitting down, coolly lighted a cigar. His position seemed a weak one, but he had no thought of surrender.
"Well, you have given me some interesting information; but there's one thing you haven't mentioned, and that is your reason for doing so."
"Can't you guess?"
"I shouldn't have suspected you of being so diffident, but I daresay you thought this was a chance of earning some money easily."
"Yes," said Clarke. "For five thousand pounds I'll undertake that no word of what I've told you will ever pass my lips again."
"You're not flattering. Do you suppose I'd pay five thousand pounds to see my nephew wronged?"
"I believe you might do so to save your son."
Challoner, who wished to lead the man on and learn something about his plans, made a negative sign.