Van Diest appeared to deliberate before answering.
"Accidents, you know, they will happen. These boys wass ver' reckless.
With all these motors and trains life is risky, the streets too, are
dangerous. You never know with these boys." He stopped as Hilbert
Torrington drew the telephone toward him. "What are you going to do?"
"Ring up the Police, my friend. You will be charged with conspiracy and intent to murder."
Van Diest's little eyes glittered threateningly. "By the time the Police arrife it will be too late," said he. "Put down that telephone. I wass not so easily frightened." His voice pitched up and seemed suddenly to catch fire. He rose to his feet and beat the table with both hands. "You fool, thiss wass business, business, business, the meaning, the motive of my whole life, and if you think I give way at the threat of a rope you don't know Hugo Van Diest. My heart, my whole soul, I haf invest in this enterprise and I don't leave it. I don't move one inch till I haf what I want."
"Money?" thundered Mr. Torrington.
"Pounds, my friend, shillings and pence."
"And men's lives." There was a fine scorn in the old man's tone.
"Money! I hate the name of it. It turns the honour and cleanliness of
men into trashy circles of metal. To business then. What chance has
Barraclough of winning through?"
"Very small."
"Go on!"
"If you want that thiss radium company shall be floated you would haf the better chance if——"