“In this case, I won’t be an exacting creditor. In fact, it’s rather curious how we’ve hit it off, considering that you wouldn’t hear of a compromise and our interests are opposed.”
“I don’t know what your interests are,” Lisle returned dryly.
“Then, in one way, I’m ahead of you. I know your wishes, and Nasmyth’s—you don’t want Clarence to marry Miss Gladwyne. It’s your motive I’m not sure about. Do you want the girl yourself?”
They were some distance in front of the others, who were too far behind to hear them. Lisle looked at his companion steadily. The man was engaged in a business that was regarded with general disfavor, but there was something he liked about him and he did not resent his bluntness.
“Well,” he answered, “it isn’t for the reason you’ve given that I mean to stop the match.”
“Can you do so?”
Batley smiled reflectively.
“And the present journey is somehow connected with the attempt? Now I believe I might have left you held up on the wrong side of the cañon; the idea was in my mind and you can give me credit for not yielding to it. I suppose there would be no use in my asking you for a hint as to the relation between my rather tricky companion’s expedition and his cousin’s death?”
“None in the least,” said Lisle decidedly.