"Why don't you?"
"It's against the rules. You stood by the rules, and so will I."
"Who are you going to kill?"
"For one thing, I shall kill my father. It will be as good as his death-blow when he hears of the sort of thing I am."
"That sort of murder won't come within the scope of the definition. If it did, possibly seven men out of ten would be entitled to the diploma of the club. Archie, I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you the money to pay Pendarvon, and I'll cry quits for what you owe me, if you'll agree, since you must kill some one, to kill any person I may nominate."
"Reggie!--what devil's game are you up to now?"
"At present, none. At this moment I have not the faintest reason to wish myself rid of any living creature. But before the end of the month the situation may be altered. Is it a deal?"
He hesitated; rose, and began to walk about the room. I watched him as he did so. I noticed how he clasped and unclasped his hands. He turned to me.
"I agree."
I sat down, then and there, and wrote him an open cheque for five thousand pounds.