Page:The Outcry (London, Methuen & Co., 1911).djvu/180

166 "Oh, they know things in the States," Hugh cheerfully agreed, "so independently of their happening! But you must have talked loud."

"Well, I haven't so much talked as raved," Mr. Bender conceded—"for I'm afraid that when I do want a thing I rave till I get it. You heard me at Dedborough, and your enterprising daily press has at last caught the echo."

"Then they'll make up for lost time! But have you done it," Hugh asked, "to prepare an alibi?"

"An alibi?"

"By 'raving,' as you say, the saddle on the wrong horse. I don't think you at all believe you'll get the Sir Joshua—but meanwhile we shall have cleared up the question of the Moretto."

Mr. Bender, imperturbable, didn't speak till he had done justice to this picture of his subtlety. "Then, why on earth do you want to boom the Moretto?"

"You ask that," said Hugh, "because it's the boomed thing that's most in peril?"

"Well, it's the big, the bigger, the biggest things, and if you drag their value to the light