“Describe the gentleman.”
This was the crucial test.
The boy obeyed without hesitation, and speedily proved that he must have seen and conversed with the artist himself.
After that Eric had no good reason for longer withholding the promised reward, which was quickly stowed away in the lad’s pocket.
The artist’s interview had not resulted in all that he expected, but he could not say it had been barren of profit. Then again what followed had made up in a measure for his defeat.
He knew the enemy’s plans.
Thus it would not be such a tremendous job to defeat them. Should Joe know?
He believed it would be policy to put him on his guard, and in that way the plotting of the enemy would prove less profitable. So it was to end to-night.
A carriage was to be in waiting at the corner, and while Joe’s attention was taken up with entertaining his guests, his wife would slip out and meet her lover.
Here was a chance for a little diplomacy.