“Yes,” he answered, “that’s what I said.”
Mr. Petre pulled out a note-book and a pencil. “Yes,” he said. “Please give me the exact words.” Terrard was getting a little frightened. This was really out of nature.
“Well, what I said was, ‘All you’ve got to say is that you’re agreeable to an arrangement with the Company as it stands.’”
“Wait a moment,” said Mr. Petre, “not quite so fast, please. Yes, ‘as it stands.’ I’ve got that down.”
“And if they don’t like it,” Terrard went on, “you’re out for an independent proposition. It binds you to nothing.”
“I’ve got that down now,” said Mr. Petre at last, reading it over to himself, “... proposition. It binds me to nothing.”
“Yes, but don’t put that last down,” said Charlie Terrard. “It’s separate. The words ‘it binds you to nothing’ were only my comment.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Petre, shutting the pocketbook up and putting it back. “That’s a weight off my mind. And you said if I do that ... I mean, if you let Mr. Trefusis know that I’m ready to see him ... he won’t,” he shuddered inwardly, “take action.”
“That’s so,” said Terrard. “That’s what I said.” But he was almost as much bewildered as Mr. Petre himself. That such a man should act thus!
“Very well,” concluded Mr. Petre with a vast sigh of relief. “Go and see them, Mr. Terrard, go and see them by all means. That’s what I want.”