"Thanks. So I was on the mark—there."
"Do not congratulate yourself. I can tell you at once that Mr. Jasper Benham is in my house, alive and well, save for a sword thrust through the arm."
Jeremy nodded.
"You laid a trap for him and cheated him on a point of honour."
"My good sir, I outwitted him, if you call that cheating."
They were silent for a few seconds like men who break away and take breath between two bouts of boxing. Jeremy's mouth looked ugly, but he was as debonair as ever.
"Listen to me, Chevalier. This spy business of yours is over and done with. What I have to do is to call one of my men, send him galloping for half a score red-coats, and hold you here at the pistol point till they come."
"Very good, sir, very good. But I take it that you have some respect for Mr. Benham's life."
Jeremy felt the cunning of the thrust.
"No doubt."