We'll take off our
hats, and assure him that it was a mistake."
"Too late. I've told Miss Abbeway and the Bishop that he is at
large. You backed me up."
Bright thrust his long, unpleasant, knobby fingers into his
pocket, and produced a crumpled cigarette, which he lit from the
end of his companion's.
"Well," he demanded, "what do you want?"
"I have come to the conclusion," Fenn decided, "that it is not in
the interests of our cause that Orden should become associated
with it in any way."
"We've a good deal of power," Bright ruminated, "but it seems to
me you're inclined to stretch it. I gather that the others want
him delivered up. We can't act against them."
"Not if they know," Fenn answered significantly.
Bright came over to the mantelpiece, leaned his elbow upon it, and
hung his extraordinarily unattractive face down towards his
companion's.
"Nicholas," he said, "I don't blame you for fencing, but I like
plain words. You've done well out of this new Party. I haven't.
You've no hobby except saving your money. I have. My last two
experiments, notwithstanding the Government allowance, have left
me drained. I need money as you others need bread. I can live
without food or drink, but I can't be without the means to keep my
laboratories going. Do you understand me?"
"I do," Fenn assented, taking up his hat. "Come, I'll drive
towards Bermondsey with you. We'll talk on the way."
CHAPTER XIII
Julian raised himself slightly from his recumbent position at the
sound of the opening of the door.
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