"And my name shall not appear in the matter?"
"No—no," Pateley said, in spite of himself breathlessly and hurriedly, more excited than he wished to show. Sir William paused and looked towards the window. "All right," said Pateley, "you have time. Quick! What is it?"
"There is going," Sir William said, "I am almost certain, to be an understanding, an agreement between England and Germany about this business in Africa."
"Impossible!" said Pateley.
"Yes," said Sir William, hardly audibly.
"Give me the proof," Pateley said, coming close to him and in his excitement making a movement as though to take the paper out of Gore's hand.
"Wait, wait!" Sir William said. "No, you mustn't do that!" and he staggered and leant back against the chimneypiece. Pateley had no time to waste in sympathy.
"Look here, if you don't give it to me, show me what it is."
"Yes, yes, I will show it you," Sir William said, "only you are not to take it, you are not to touch it."
Pateley signed assent, and Sir William unfolded the map of Africa and held it up with a trembling hand.