"I suppose these Englishmen will hang me," remarked Otto. "My one regret is that I did not succeed in my attempt."
"What attempt?" asked Enrico, innocently. As a matter of fact he knew, having watched the shooting affray.
Otto told him.
"The trouble is," he added, "I've been paid for this business. Ten thousand Egyptian piastres. I have a banker's order for that amount in my pocket. Will they search me?"
"Without a doubt," replied Enrico, whose knowledge of British criminal courts was of a first-hand order. "But in a way you are lucky. You were paid--I was not. I succeeded--you failed."
The German raised his eyebrows, but forbore to elicit further information concerning Jaures' motives.
"My difficulty," resumed Otto, "is what I am to do with this banker's order. I undertook the business because I was hard up, and should I be hanged or even imprisoned my family will not benefit because the money will be confiscated."
He paused. Enrico eyed him thoughtfully. He would willingly rob anybody. Now was a chance of enriching himself at the expense of his semi-compatriot.
"These English cannot keep me in captivity much longer," he observed. "They can prove nothing against me. When I regain my liberty I propose paying a visit to my mother's relations in Lubeck. Perhaps I might be able to render you a service by handing that draft to your relatives."
Otto showed no great eagerness to close with the offer. His hesitation increased his companion's cupidity.