“To induce that gentleman to purchase the paper. But now that the time has come, I’d rather see liberty result than my own enrichment. If the American government should see its way clear to rewarding me, why, well and good, if not it will not matter much. This resolution has angered the Lascar, for he hoped to share in the English gold.”
“I see,” said Ethan. “But Danvers did not know of this compact between you.”
“Indeed no,” smiled Fochard. “I gave him to understand that Siki was safely out of France with the papers and—ahem—that you assisted him.”
“So he said,” replied the young American.
“And now,” said Fochard, arising, “I will be going. You will not fail to bring these matters to the attention of Dr. Franklin at once, I trust. As things are,” with a most expressive wave of the hand, “I cannot act for myself. It would be misconstrued—for it is generally supposed that Fochard works only for pay. Good-evening.”
He bowed to both Ethan and Longsword, then walked gravely through the lines of small tables and departed. Ethan at once informed Longsword of all that had been said; and the latter shook his head, the grim expression of his face increasing.
“I don’t like it,” declared the Irishman, decidedly. “And I don’t trust the man.”
“But it seems possible,” protested Ethan. “The French are almost mad with admiration of the Americans just now, and a man may do such a thing in his enthusiasm for a cause.”
“But not a man like that, faith! He’s as cold blooded as a fish. He has some sort of a plot behind all this, mark my words.”
“But what can it be?” asked the lad.