Part 29 (1/2)
A brief silence fell.
Presently, after reflection, the Member of Parliament exclaimed, in a tone more pleasant than he had ever used before--
”Let me speak candidly, Macbean. I would first ask you to forget the words I uttered a few moments ago. I am full of business, you know, and am often out of temper with everything. I was out of temper just now.
Well, you want to leave me and go to Italy, while I desire you to remain. Tell me plainly what salary you will accept and continue in my service.”
”I am as perfectly frank as you are,” George replied. ”No inducement you could offer would keep me in England.”
Mr Morgan-Mason bit his lip. He never expected this refusal from the clever man whom he had treated as an underling. It was his habit to purchase any service with his money, and this rebuff on the part of a mere servant filled him with chagrin--he who so easily bought the smiles of a d.u.c.h.ess or the introduction of a marquis into the royal circle itself.
He did not intend that Macbean should enter the service of Angelo Borselli. He had suspicion--a strong suspicion--and for that reason desired to keep the pair apart. His mind was instantly active in an attempt to devise some scheme by which his own ends could be attained.
But if his secretary flatly refused to remain?
”I think you are a consummate fool to your own interests,” remarked his employer. ”Foreign Governments when they employ an Englishman only work him for their own ends, and throw him aside like a sucked orange.”
”English employers often do the same,” answered Macbean meaningly.
The millionaire was full of grave reflections, and in order to obtain time to form some plan, he ordered Macbean to despatch the telegram and return.
An hour later, when George entered the splendidly appointed study wherein his employer was lounging, the latter rose, lit a cigar, and turning to him in the dim light--for they were standing beyond the zone of the green-shaded writing-lamp upon the table--said--
”I wish very much, Macbean, that you would listen to reason, and refuse the appointment these Italians offer you. You know as well as I do the insecurity of Governments in Italy; how the man in power to-day may be disgraced to-morrow, and how every few years a clean sweep is made of all officials in the ministries. You have told me that yourself.
Recollect the eye-opener into Italian methods we had when we saw the Minister of War regarding the contracts for Abyssinia. I wonder that you, honest man as you are, actually contemplate a.s.sociating yourself with such a corrupt officialdom.” The arrogant moneyed man was clever enough to appeal to Macbean's honour, knowing well that his words must cause him to reflect.
”I shall only be an obscure secretary--an employee. Such men have no opportunity of accepting bribes or of pilfering. Theft is only a virtue in the higher grade.”
”Well, since you've been out I've very carefully considered the whole matter. I should be extremely sorry to lose you. You have served me well, although I have shown no appreciation--I never do. When a man does his best, I am silent. But I am prepared to behave handsomely if you will remain. Your salary shall be raised to five hundred a year.
That's handsome enough for you, isn't it?”
Macbean slowly shook his head, and declared that no monetary inducement would be availing. He intended to go to Italy at all hazards.
The millionaire stroked his whiskers, for he was nonplussed. Yet he was shrewd, and gifted with a wonderful foresight. If Macbean really intended to go to Rome, then some other means must be found by which to ingratiate himself with the man he had so long ill-treated and despised.
There might come a day when Macbean would arise against him, and for that day he must certainly be prepared.
He flung himself into his big morocco arm-chair and motioned George to the seat at the writing-table, having first ascertained that the door was closed. Then, with a few preliminary words of regret that the young man preferred service abroad, he said in a low, earnest voice-- confidential for the first time in his life--
”If you go to Rome it is for the purpose of improving your position--of making money. Now, I am desirous of obtaining certain information, for which I am prepared to pay very handsomely, and at the Ministry of War you can, if you go cautiously to work, obtain it.”
”You mean some military secret?” remarked Macbean, looking quickly at his master. ”I certainly shall never betray my employers.”
”No, no, not at all,” protested the arrogant man before him, with a dry laugh. ”It is a secret which I desire to learn--one for which I will willingly pay you ten thousand pounds in cash, if you can give me proof of the truth--but it is not a military one. You need have no fear that I am asking you to act the traitor to your employers.” The two men regarded each other fixedly. Each was suspicious of double-dealing.
The millionaire was searching to discover whether the sum named was sufficiently tempting to induce his secretary to act as his spy, while the latter, scanning the large eyes of the other, endeavoured to read the motive of the mysterious offer.
”You can earn ten thousand pounds easily if you are only wary and act with careful discretion,” went on the millionaire, seeing that Macbean had become interested. ”It only requires a little tact, a few judicious inquiries, and the examination of a few official doc.u.ments. To the latter you will no doubt have access, and if so it will be easy enough.”
”And what is it?” asked George Macbean after a brief pause, s.h.i.+fting in his chair as he spoke. ”What is it you desire to know?”