Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/270

260 Chelubai shook his head.

"Yet I should have liked to have gone on working with Gutermann. It's a strong combination, an Englishman and a Jew, a very strong combination. He's very resourceful, very, is Gutermann; and I stiffen his backbone."

"Then it's worth your while to pay another thousand to keep him," said Chelubai.

Honest John Driver's face suddenly lighted up, and he said: "I'll make it an extra three hundred, just out of friendship for him. I can't bear to think of his being removed outright, poor Gutermann."

They wrangled and haggled for twenty minutes, and at last Chelubai beat him up to £3,500. At that price they clinched the bargain, but Chelubai made a proviso that if it proved impossible to kidnap Gutermann, and we had to remove him outright, we should receive £3,000.

Then Chelubai said, "You've given us very little time, only a fortnight. What kind of a man is Gutermann?"

"He's a very gentlemanly young fellow and an ardent patriot. I know no man who thinks more highly of the British Empire."

"That's good," said Chelubai. "Does he drink or gamble?"

"Mr. Kearsage!" said Honest John Driver stiffly, and he drew his great flabby bulk upright in