“Marrying at the time you did,” he said, “you put us all to the height of inconvenience. We lost that business in Spain by which we hoped to have secured enormous profits. You are a strong man, you give weight and solidity to all we do, and we cannot dispense with you. You were aware of the fact when you made that audacious demand for five weeks off duty. You have now returned to duty, and I presume will work extra hard for the privilege we have accorded you.” “Thanks,” said Rowton. “I belong to you, and I shall, of course, do my best for the interests of the business.” “That’s right,” said Long John after a pause. “The fact is, you have come back in the nick of time—that affair in Spain can, I find, be re-opened. Bonds to the tune of £20,000 are to be conveyed from Madrid to Paris by train on the night of the 20th. Spider will meet you in Madrid. How soon can you go there?” Rowton started and looked troubled. “Before I make any promises,” he said after a pause, “I wish to say something on another matter.” “What is that?” “I wish to ask a favour.” “A favour, Silver,” said Scrivener. “You seem great at that sort of thing lately.” “This matter is of much importance to me, Piper,” said Rowton, fixing his bold eyes on the meagre face of the other man. “I want the headquarters of our school to be removed from Rowton Heights.” This demand was evidently most unexpected. The different men looked at each other with blank faces. Scrivener shook his head, leapt forward and whispered something in the ears of the man known by the name of Long John. “It is quite impossible, Silver, and the matter cannot be further discussed,” said Piper in an incisive voice, which sounded like the snapping of steel. His eyes changed their character as he spoke. They no longer looked gentle and pathetic; rays of light, cruel as hell itself, seemed to leap from their depths. “Impossible,” he said; “not to be discussed. The place is absolutely convenient—above suspicion, and therefore invaluable. So no more. Your request is unequivocally refused.” “I must bow to the inevitable,” said Rowton, slightly bending his head. “Your marriage came at a most inconvenient time,” proceeded Piper; “but now that you are married and have elected to live at Rowton Heights, we all see our way to doing magnificent business. In your position as one of the wealthiest and most influential men of your county, you can give us information which will be more than useful. I will speak to you a while on that point. Meanwhile it is my wish that Scrivener should go and live at Pitstow. There is a village there, is there not?” “A small town,” said Scrivener; “a healthy, bracing place. I need change of air.” The other men laughed. Rowton remained pale and silent. “It would be particularly disagreeable to me to have Scrivener in the neighbourhood,” he said after a pause.