“Yes, you are not going to funk it—we will make a man of you—you want to marry, too, don’t you?”
“Oh, time enough,” said Scrivener with a smirk.
“Not at all. It is good for a man to have a wife, and your wedding bells shall ring before long. You are a good fellow, one of the best of us. What do you say to our starting you as a jeweller? A merchant who buys rough diamonds in the ordinary market. I heard only to-day that a small jeweller’s shop in Cheapside was going a-begging—you shall take it, change your name and your coat, and do good business. We will fit you up with capital, and you shall buy sufficient diamonds at the ordinary price to lull suspicion. By degrees those which Rowton has brought back from Spain can be sold at full market value.”
“That’s a prime notion,” said Simpkins, coming forward.
“Yes, we’ll talk of it later on—I have the whole thing neatly planned. Scrivener shall take the shop to-morrow. Now, then, to turn to another matter. Come here, Silver, let us hear the whole of your story. You did part of our work, but not all. What about the bonds? How did that affair prosper?”
“I have returned without executing that part of my order,” said Rowton in a brief tone.
“You have!”
Long John sprang to his feet, so did Scrivener, so did Simpkins, so did every other man in the room. Rowton alone remained seated. He raised his head and stared from one to the other.
“Your reasons,” said Piper then; “your reasons, my noble leader.”
“I am not your leader, and you know it,” replied Rowton. “You lead us all.”