He watched them both. Reitzei was still preoccupied; but the small black eyes of Beratinsky twinkled eagerly.
"Yes, yes, yes! Very good! There we have our four. For myself, I am not afraid; not I!"
"And you, Reitzei; are you satisfied?" said Lind merely as a matter of form.
The younger man started.
"Oh yes, the Council must be obeyed," said he, absently.
"Gentlemen," said Lind, rising, "the business is concluded. Now you may return to your Culturverein."
But when the others had risen, he said, in a laughing way, "There is only one thing I will add: you may think about it at your leisure. The chances are three to one, and we all run the same risk; but I confess I should not be sorry to see the Englishman chosen; for, you perceive, that would make the matter clear enough. They would not accuse an Englishman of complicity with the Camorra—would they, Reitzei? If the lot fell to the Englishman, I should not be disappointed—would you, Beratinsky?"
Beratinsky, who was about to leave, turned sharply and the coal-black eyes were fixed intently on Lind's face.
"I?" he said. "Not I! We will talk again about it, Brother Lind."