Probably he intended to make good his escape.
Both were expecting every moment that his coolness would break down, and that he would suggest that they kept silence as to what lay concealed on the floor above.
Indeed, they were not mistaken, for of a sudden he turned to them, and in rather strained voice said:
“Now, gentlemen, I admit that you have discovered my secret; that my position is—well—a disagreeable one, to say the least. Is there any real reason why you should divulge it—at least for the present?”
Charlie shrugged his shoulders, and Max at the same time realised that a deadly fear was creeping back upon the old man, whose enormous wealth had stifled all human feeling from his soul.
“I merely ask your indulgence,” said the old man, in a low, eager tone.
“For how long?”
“For a day—maybe for a week—or perhaps a month. I cannot tell.”
“That means that we preserve the secret indefinitely?”
“Until the arrival of my visitor.”