Beveridge wanted to smile over the incongruity in this speech, but he controlled himself and listened soberly. Henry went on:—
“If I could have handled it alone, or with only Spencer to help, you would never have got me. But with such a big business, I had to employ a good many men. That was my weak spot. I've known it all along and dreaded it, but I had to run the risk. There's a risk in every business, and that was the risk in mine. No, sir, if I could have had competent men, I should be laughing to-day at the whole revenue system.”
“I should take exception to that, Smiley,” said Beveridge. “Your men weren't the only thing that gave you away, not by any means.”
“Oh, weren't they?”
“No, the most important clew was the label you used. But say, Smiley, here is what puzzles me. Why is it that you, a man of unusual ability, haven't put in your time at something respectable? The brains and work you have wasted on smuggling would have made you a comfortable fortune in some other line.”
“What do you mean by 'respectable,' Beveridge,—politics, trading, preaching?”
“I guess you recognize the distinction.”
“On the contrary, I don't recognize it at all. I asked for information.”
“Oh, well, there is no use opening up that question. We all know the difference between right and wrong, honesty and dishonesty.”
“Do we? Do you?”