“Now I will come to the point at once. I don't propose to spend a thousand pounds for nothing—and when I say nothing, I mean for the privilege of knowing you alone. I am desirous of making the acquaintance of your friends and colleagues at once.” Melun laughed, showing his fine teeth. “I have not the slightest objection,” he said, “and, as a matter of fact, you have chosen a particularly convenient day, for it is on Wednesdays that the heads of my business meet to discuss a few personal matters. “To-day I will not disguise from you the fact that the discussion will be yourself. I have made known some details of your offer—but not all of them, because my friends are not so gifted with imagination as myself, and I must confess that your proposal is regarded with considerable suspicion.” The captain moved aside and looked thoughtfully out of the window for a few moments; then he turned round on his heel sharply. “I will be perfectly frank with you,” he said with an amazingly good attempt at breezy honesty. “All of my friends are not particularly nice people, and if they had any idea that you were likely to play them false, not even the consideration of tapping your vast wealth would restrain them from putting you out of the way.” “There is such a thing,” said Westerham, lightly, “as killing the goose which lays the golden eggs.” “Yes,” said the captain, gravely, “but even a supply of golden eggs may be retained at too dear a price. “However,” he went on with an air of gaiety, “this is rather too serious a matter to consider to-day. I simply intended to throw out a kindly hint.” “I'm sure you are very good,” said Westerham with a fine sarcasm. “I had not looked for you to be so completely considerate.” “I am sorry,” said the captain, “to ask you to a meal which goes ill with your present position, but, truth to tell, as the evening is always a busy time with us, we find it more convenient to discuss our plans over high tea.” He took out his watch and looked at it thoughtfully. “If we start now we shall be at Herne Hill at about five o'clock—that will suit us admirably.” “Very well,” said the baronet, picking up his hat, “I am ready to go when you are.” At the hall door Sir Paul stopped and looked out into the street, and was in the act of hailing a passing cab when the captain stayed his hand. “Oh, no,” he said, with a quiet laugh; “we take no cabs to Herne Hill from here. You will find it far more convenient to take a tram when there is a possibility that your movements are being followed with attention.” Without another word he led the way down the Embankment, and on to Westminster Bridge, where the two men took a car to the Elephant and Castle. From this point the captain took an omnibus, and twenty minutes later they were in the pretty and innocent and homely suburb of Herne Hill.