"You seem to set great store by it."
"It is all I have. And of late I have not been able to shake off the conviction that I am responsible to God for it."
"I thought as much," Muller said, with a sneer.
Rufus raised his eyes questioningly.
"Turning Christian again with Christian results," he went on. "I caught an echo of the jargon the last time I called on you, and feared you would turn coward, as all these religious people do."
"Don't let us quarrel, Muller," Rufus said, mildly. "I confess I had not much hope that you would be able to help me, so I shall return not greatly disappointed."
"I would help you a thousand times if I could," Muller replied, with a great burst of simulated friendliness, "but, alas! I cannot do impossibilities."
"Very good, I will not trouble you again."
"And you will not burst the thing up by awaking suspicion?"
"Not if I can help it."