Part 43 (2/2)
You wait till I get them to myself, either together or singly, and I'll lay you the National Debt to sixpence that I don't leave 'em till I've got what I want. I've my own methods, and I've found them pay me very well up to now.”
”I don't doubt your capacity; when I think of where you were and of where you are I've no reason to. But in dealing with people like McTavish & Brown, with a strong case like yours, diplomacy pays better than violence. If you'd left the conduct of the affair to me I'd have at any rate exacted from them the promise of a satisfactory sum in settlement of all claims. As it is, where are you?”
He held out his hand, palm uppermost, as if to show that there was nothing in it. She walked by his side for some little distance in silence; when she spoke her tone was still grim.
”I'll tell you where I am--I'm with you. And I tell you what it is--as I couldn't get any money out of them, I'm going to get it out of you.”
”Are you? I don't see how.”
”Don't you? I do.”
”You can't get blood out of a stone.”
”No; because there's no blood in a stone. But I can get money out of you, because you've plenty.”
”I wish I had.”
”Don't you worry; your wish was granted before it was uttered.
I'll show you where some of it is, if you like.”
In his turn Mr. Luker for a while was still. Then stopping, he held out his hand.
”I wish you good-afternoon, Mrs. Lamb.”
”You needn't; I'm coming with you.”
”I'm afraid I have an appointment which will prevent my enjoying the pleasure of your company any longer.”
”Oh no, you haven't. Besides, it will make no difference if you have--I'm coming with you.”
”You are coming with me? What do you mean?”
”I mean that I'm going to accompany you to your private residence, Mr. Luker. I want to have a quiet chat with you. I can have it there better than anywhere else. We shall be snug, and all by ourselves.”
He looked at her with his bleared, half-open eyes--he seemed to be physically incapable of opening them to their full extent--with an expression which some ladies would not have considered flattering, nor were his words exactly complimentary.
”I would as soon go home with a tigress as with you in your present mood--indeed, of the two, I think I would prefer the tigress. I have been in too many tight places to feel inclined to walk, with my eyes open, into quite such a tight place as that would be. Once more I have to inform you that I have an appointment which will prevent my having the pleasure of your company any farther, so I wish you good-afternoon.”
”And once more I tell you that I'm coming home with you.”
”Oh no, you're not.”
”Oh yes, I am.”
”I think you are mistaken.”
He beckoned to a policeman who happened to be standing by the kerb at a little distance from where they were.
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