Mr. Cheape rose once more to his feet.
"In order to prove," he announced, "how entirely devoid my clients are of
mercenary considerations, they agree, Mr. Bundercombe, to accept the sum
of four thousand pounds."
Mr. Bundercombe put down his hat again. Then he drew a sheet of paper from
his pocket.
"Condition number one, then," he observed, "is now agreed upon. We proceed
to condition number two. Mrs. Delaporte, Captain Bannister, and Mr.
Cheape," he went on earnestly, "I have been guilty of an indiscretion the
proof of which is in your hands. Having decided to make London my home for
a time, I desire once and for all to extinguish all possibility of this
affair ever cropping up again in any shape or form."
Mr. Cheape rose to his feet.
"Sir," he said to Mr. Bundercombe, "my clients will give you their written
undertaking that the affair shall be consigned to oblivion."
Mr. Bundercombe waved him down.
"My reasons for feeling so strongly on the matter," he continued, "will be
appreciated by you, Captain Bannister, as a man of position and in
society"--Captain Bannister bowed--"when I tell you that my future son-in-
law, Mr. Walmsley, M.P., has proposed me for membership in two of the most
exclusive clubs in London.
Pages:
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239