"Bernard," he half whispered, "you shall have all you want of everything. Money—and the other thing. I want you to throw in your lot with me as the good Captain has done. That note," he continued, still in the half whisper, "you gave me in regard to the sailing of the Polydor was well appreciated in certain circles."
"I am glad to hear that," John answered.
"That was good service," continued Manners, "but there are bigger things afoot." He paused a moment, then walked round John, and seated himself on a sofa quite near. "You have heard, no doubt," he continued, "of the Imperator——"
"You mean the new Grey Star liner?"
Manners nodded.
"A monster ship—a wonder ship! Forty-eight thousand tons."
He uttered the words slowly, rolling them unctuously over his tongue.
"Nearly as big as the Vaterland," John said, and for the life of him he could not help looking across at Cherriton's face.
But Cherriton was quick as lightning.
"The Vaterland?" he repeated. "You mean the German ship?"