“He wants you to go to Spain with——”
The man bent forward and began to whisper.
Rowton’s brow grew black.
“When does he want me to go?” he asked.
“To-morrow.”
“How long will the business take?”
“That depends on yourself; it ought to be done within a fortnight.”
“Then tell Long John from me that he must get some other man to do the job; I am already engaged and cannot go.”
“This is madness,” said Scrivener; “you are the only man among us who can go. How can you pretend to be one of us and yet shirk duty in this way?”
“You must get someone else,” repeated Rowton. “Ah! here comes lunch; you can lunch with me, after all, if you please, Scrivener; I can recommend this round of beef. Samson, bring in some ale.”