Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/287

Rh "I don't understand," he said, frowning upon me severely. "The purpose for which he was removed came to nothing; you can't expect me to pay over a failure."

"Your failure or success does not affect us," I said coldly. "We contracted to remove Gutermann, and we removed him; we want paying."

"But this is nonsense! I tell you I lost money!" "That's got nothing to do with your bargain with us."

"But it has! We were all in the swim together. I only contracted to pay you if I succeeded."

"Now, you're not really going to talk nonsense to us, Mr. Driver," I said gently.

"Nonsense? It's only fair! If I win I pay you; but if I lose, I don't. It's—it's not honest to ask for it."

"Well, well," I said cheerfully, "we won't wrangle about it. You tried to let us down once, and it cost you over £2,000. This time it will cost you twice as much."

"You don't think you'll catch me again!"

"I don't think, I know I shall."

"I shall go to Scotland Yard at once, and put myself under the protection of the police," he blustered.

"You might as well put yourself under the protection of your grandmother, if you have one. If we find that the police prevent our getting hold of