The fingers crept closer and touched the gold.
“If I thought you wanted to bribe me, I’d rot before I had anything to do with you.”
The Commissioner smiled. There was no necessity to say anything more, for the guineas were disappearing and finally, though slowly, chinked down into Mr. Secretary’s pocket.
The Commissioner held out his hand.
The Secretary before he took it looked loftier than ever.
“I hope you understand me, sir, clearly.”
“I do understand you clearly.”
The Secretary shook the hand; the Commissioner went with him to the door.
“Show this gentleman downstairs.”
The constable, without a look of surprise, went downstairs, and Mr. Secretary found himself in the street.