Dahler jumped to his feet. 'Tell them myself!' he cried. 'No. Why should I tell them that I can no longer enter my own country?' He thrust back his chair and took a step towards Jorgensen. Then he turned abruptly about. A few agitated paces and he was brought up by the door to the galley. He swung round and faced us. 'Never will I tell them that,' he said. His brown eyes fastened themselves on me with a strange intentness. 'I'll come, Mr Gansert. I owe Farnell a debt.' He glanced at Jorgensen. 'And I believe in paying my debts,' he added.
'What sort of a debt?' I asked.
'He saved my life,' he answered.
'You are making a mistake, Mr Dahler,' Jorgensen said quietly. 'In Norway you will be liable to arrest.'
'And which one of your employees will you get to inform against me this time, eh?' Dahler asked with a sneer. 'Or will you do your own dirty work?' He moved slowly across the room, his head thrust out towards Jorgensen and twisted slightly to one side. 'Haven't you done enough already?'
'Sit down, Mr Dahler please,' I said and put my hand on his shoulder.
He spun round on me and for a moment I thought he was going to bite my hand, there was such a look of venom on his face. Then suddenly he relaxed and sat down. 'Excuse me,' he said.
I looked towards Jorgensen. 'Finally there is you, Mr Jorgensen. You came here, you say, to discuss the possibilities of a B.M. & I. tie-up with your own organisation.' I leaned already told you, I don't believe you. You came here because you're as interested in Farnell as we are. You talked to Sir Clinton about nickel and uranium deposits. You were just guessing. You don't know what metal has been discovered in Norway.' I paused and then said very deliberately, 'But I do — and it isn't either nickel or uranium. As for knowing where the deposits are located, you haven't the faintest idea. Your visit over here is nothing but bluff.'
'So you know what metal it is that has been discovered, eh?' His eyes were without expression. It was impossible to read his thoughts. 'Was it Farnell who told you that?'
'Yes,' I answered.