“But, Prigson, it’s a great document! strictly secret—no one is to know anything about it!”
“I’ll promise not to tell; let’s have a look.” And before Van Arlen could prevent it, his brother-in-law had already glanced over the paper.
“Heaven be good to us! a magnificent bargain!”
“A bargain?”
“Why, of course! Now-a-days it’s not their own sons that ministers help forward; they do it for each other’s. Regenstein is to get this, and your man’s son has just been put into a good thing by his father’s colleague. Splendid exchange! Did you draw up the proposal?”
“I have no time now, Prigson. Do be kind enough to let me alone.”
Van Arlen rang the bell, and sent for one of the clerks. Van Teuten entered.
“Mr Van Teuten!”
“Sir, I have—”
“We’ll see to that presently. Sit down, Mr Van Teuten, and write—here—recopy this page; but mind you put in the insertion! The first time a document of mine has been disfigured by an insertion! My head’s going!”