But Krevin Crood smiled more cynically than ever.
"That's all you know, young man," he retorted. "You'll know more when you're my age. Well," he continued, turning his back on Brent and again facing the bench, "that was the situation. I was to act as ambassador, and if I succeeded in my embassy I was to be well paid for my labour."
"By the Town Trustees?" inquired the chairman.
"By the Town Trustees, certainly," replied Krevin. "Who else? As my principals——"
"I think you will have to tell us what fee, or payment, you were to have," interrupted the chairman. "If——"
"Oh, as the whole thing's come to nothing, I don't mind telling that," said Krevin. "I shall never get it now, so why not talk of it? I was to have a thousand pounds."
"As reward for inducing the Mayor to withhold from the public certain information which he had acquired as regards the unsatisfactory condition of the borough finances?" asked the chairman.
"Y-es, if you put it that way," assented Krevin. "You might put it another way, as regards the Mayor. He was to—just let things slide."
"Go on, if you please," said the chairman dryly. "We understand."