But Captain Melun only laughed. “Not so,” he said.
Westerham was as near to exasperation as he ever allowed himself to get.
“I don't want to coerce you,” he remarked grimly.
“You had better not try,” Melun answered. “There is one thing which apparently you have not taken into your calculations. You forget that Lord Penshurst—I admit that your suspicions of a tie between us are correct—is quite as much interested in keeping me silent as I am in keeping silent myself.”
Westerham had foreseen this point, and was prepared with an answer.
“You forget,” he said, “that it might suit my convenience to become Lord Penshurst's friend.”
“Have a care,” cried Melun, angrily; “you don't know what you say.”
“What do you mean?” demanded Westerham.
“I mean,” said Melun, softly, “that I can strike back where it will hit you most.”