Cassis could not leave the subject alone. Tenacity was one of his strong points.
"Suppose you were killed," he suggested. "The secret would be lost for all time. And where should we stand?"
"Several degrees better than myself," was the answer. "You'll come out with your lives."
"That's not the point. Our involvement is equivalent to yours. Your risk is physical, ours financial, and of the two, in my own opinion——"
"I know," Barraclough cut in. "Our views are opposed about that. I made the find and as soon as I have turned it into actual possession, you will have the chance to exploit it, but until——"
"Yes, but half a shake, old son," said Lord Almont. "How about the marvellous healing properties—all the jolly old hospitals we were going to endow. One doesn't want to be a dog in the manger."
Barraclough grinned. Whatever other qualities Nature had bestowed upon the ebullient peer philanthropy was not outstanding.
"I notice in this argument," he said, "money came over the horizon before the hospitals showed their smoke."
"Then deposit the map reference in a safe place so we can get hold of it if you break up."
"And where it will be at the mercy of the first man with a jimmy and a blow lamp. No, thanks."