Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/20

14 financier? We shouldn't know him to have a down on him. We shouldn't gain in any way by his death. We're not in want of money. Every one knows that I'm a well-to-do citizen of the United States. Bottiger's one of the richest British baronets, and you're a rising young barrister. Who on earth would connect us with any of the removals?"

"Certainly you've worked this out. That's a strong point—a very strong point indeed," said I. "There would, of course, be very little risk." "Murder will out," said Bottiger, with gloomy satisfaction. Bottiger is also one of the most British of the British baronets.

I turned on him, and said severely, "Chelubai has explained to you once that it isn't murder—it's removal." Then I turned to Chelubai and said, "I'm afraid, you know, that it is not so much the passion for humanity that makes you so enthusiastic about this scheme of yours; but it's your idle life that's beginning to pall. You want to get hustling again."

"Why don't you take to golf, as I'm always telling you to?" said Bottiger.

"No, it isn't that at all," said Chelubai earnestly. "I want you to promote the universal brotherhood."

"Well, but do you think that your scheme will