"I don't like your plan," he broke forth loudly. "That Holy Land scheme of yours, getting rid of Clark and then attacking him, it's mean, it's too much like tying a rope across a road to trip up a man in the dark whom you dare not tackle openly."
"It's only a suggestion, sir," said Scales deferentially.
"It had better remain a suggestion, then."
He turned his back on Scales, and began to arrange the papers on his desk. It was the signal that the conference was over. Luke and Beverley soon left, but Scales remained.
"I don't think you quite appreciate your own position in this affair," Scales remarked.
"My position? What do you know of my position?"
"More than I cared to say before the others. I would like to ask you a question."
"Ask away," Masterman retorted grimly.
"Well then, do you know the real reason why Clark preached that sermon?"
"Oh, I suppose it was the expression of the new-fangled socialism he professes."