"Why, I can't set a price on Sachigo till I know the price you set on the Skandinavia," Bull's eyes were smiling. "You see I should need to double it for—Sachigo."
The man from Labrador had driven home to the quick, and the Teutonic vanity of the Swede was instantly aflame. Peterman had committed the one offence which the younger man could not forgive. He had dared, in his vanity, to believe that the situation between them was a question of price.
"I didn't invite you here to sell you—the Skandinavia," Peterman blustered, giving way to anger he could not restrain.
"No. And I didn't accept your invitation for the purpose of selling—Sachigo. If there's any buying and selling going on you'd best understand quite clearly I am the buyer."
There was a dangerous light in Bull's eyes levelled so steadily on the angry face of the Swede.
"Then—it's war?"
Bull shrugged at the challenge.
"I'm quite indifferent," he said coldly.
There was a moment of tense silence. Then the Swede smiled.
"You're ready then to let the fool public benefit at your expense?"