After a moment Mr. Blensop uttered a musical note of vexation. The lead of his pencil had broken. He threw it pettishly aside, came over to the desk, took up a penholder, dipped it in the ink-well, and returned to his task.
XXII
CHICANE
Colonel Stanistreet put down the last of the papers and slapped his hand upon it resoundingly.
"This is one of the most remarkable collections of data, I venture to assert, that has ever come into the hands of the British Government. Have you any idea of its value?"
Lanyard lifted a whimsical eyebrow. "Some," he admitted drily.
"And what do you ask for it, sir?"
"Nothing."
The gaze of the Englishman bored into his eyes; but he met their challenge with an unshaken countenance, smiling.
"My dear sir," Stanistreet demanded—"who are you?"