“That goes without saying.”
“But why your interest in the fight?” Madison asked deliberately, in subdued yet sonorous tones. “I was not aware that you ever dipped into politics beyond casting your vote.”
“Well, not often,” Nick admitted. “Occasionally, however, I make a play in politics. This happens to be one of the occasions.”
There was an indescribably ominous intensity in the steady gaze with which the eyes of these two men were fixed upon each other. Not for an instant did either deviate or waver.
Not for a moment, moreover, was the surrounding silence broken by any sound save their voices. Yet not[Pg 30] once had either been raised above an ordinary pitch, or tinctured any betrayal of their true feelings. Invariable suavity and politeness, rather, seemed to imbue them.
“Why this occasion, Mr. Carter?” Madison questioned. “Why your interest in this particular fight?”
“Because of what befell your opponent this morning,” said Nick.
“Befell Mr. Gordon?”
“Yes.”
“What was that?”