'What do you mean, "it don't go"?'
'I'm not all alone in this. There's three of us in this game.'
'Listen to me. You say you've got the ruby. Very well, hand it over. I will see you have what Mr Burton promised you. We'll say no more about it, and there'll be an end of the matter.'
The Flyman's manner became a trifle dogged.
'I don't hand over nothing till you've heard what I've got to say.'
Something in the speaker's manner struck the observant Mr Cox. He showed signs of perturbation.
'Flyman, you haven't killed him?'
'I don't know whether I have or haven't. I hit, perhaps, a bit harder than I meant. He was as good as dead when I saw him last; anyhow, he'll be silly for the rest of his days, or else I'm wrong. I know what a good downer with a sand bag means. I'm a bit afraid I gave him an extra good one. I didn't like the looks of him at all.'
'You're a fool! Why did you do it?'
'Because you told me?'