This point of view, however, had already occurred to Merriam; and the answer was that Crockett, knowing already of a direct, confidential connection between Senator Norman's double and Senator Norman's new manager, would in a few hours at most be able to work out the whole truth of the situation.
So he only answered his victim's smile with another smile equally good-humoured.
"I don't think I've given away anything much," he said. "And I felt it was time to take out a bit of insurance."
"Insurance?" repeated Crockett.
"Yes. Insurance that you will treat me with that generosity which you half promised a while ago."
"I promised nothing!" said Crockett, the smile fading out of his eyes. "I refuse to give any promise whatever."
"That's all right," said Merriam, still good-humouredly. "In fact, I shouldn't count much on promises anyway.
"You're married, I believe?" he continued to Crockett.
Crockett did not reply.
"And a church member, I presume? And a member of a number of highly respectable clubs?"