"Then I cannot take you!"
"That's up to you," said Evan with an indifferent shrug. He turned away.
Deaves lingered in a state of pitiable indecision. "I have no one else I can ask," he said appealingly. "I beg of you to be reasonable, Weir. You must see that we are helpless against them. Promise me you will do nothing against them, and you may ask me what you like."
"I want nothing from you," said Evan coldly. "I won't promise."
"Then I must take a servant," said Deaves helplessly—"and perhaps lay myself open to fresh demands from another quarter!" He turned to go.
Evan of course was keen on going. When he saw that Deaves was actually prepared to stick to what he said, Evan gave in.
"I'll compromise with you," he said. "I promise to carry out instructions exactly as given in the letter until after the securities are handed over. After that I must be free to act as I see fit."
"What do you mean to do?" asked Deaves anxiously.
"I don't know. How can I tell? I'm hoping that something may happen to give me a clue that I may follow up later."
"Oh well, that's all right," said Deaves. "You'll be at my house before eight then?"