“Then you believe that the whole thing is a fiction?”
“Most certainly it is. If there was any idea of the Sultan giving an iradé, I should most certainly know of it. I have good agents in Constantinople. No. Take it from me that the concession will never be given. It is not to Turkey’s interest to allow the development of Servia and Bulgaria, therefore your friend’s pretty tale is all a fairy story.”
“Then why is he pressing me to go out to Constantinople?” Max asked.
Statham shrugged his shoulders, indicative of ignorance.
“Perhaps he thinks you will plank down money?” he suggested.
“He wants nothing until I myself am satisfied with the bonâ fides of the business.”
“Stuff on his part, most likely. He’s a past-master of the art.”
“How well do you know him?”
“Sufficiently well to have nothing to do with him.”
“Then that accounts for his refusal to allow me to confide in you,” said Barclay. “I see the reason now.”