“In two or three days,” he replied. “But you mustn’t tell him I said so,” he went on. “We are going out on business—business that will bring us both a sum of money that will be a fortune to me, if not to Mr Barclay. We are in partnership over it.”
“What nature is the business?”
“The building of a railroad to the Adriatic. We are obtaining permission from the Sultan for its construction.”
“And Max—I mean Mr Barclay—will make a large sum?” she asked with deep interest.
“Yes, if he decides to go,” replied Adam; “but I fear very much one thing,” and he fixed his dark eyes upon hers.
“What do you fear?”
“Well—how shall I put it, Miss Rolfe?” he asked. “I—I fear that he will refuse to go because he does not wish to leave London just now.”
“Why not?”
“He has an attraction here,” the man laughed—“yourself.”
She coloured slightly. Max had probably told this friend that they were lovers.