As you don't speak of having been in India, may I ask who gave you the information ?" "Blake's companion, the man I've mentioned, a former Indian officer named Benson." "His full name, please." Clarke gave it to him, and Challoner, crossing the floor, took a book from a shelf and turned over the pages.
"Yes; he's here.

What led him to talk of the thing to an outsider ?" "Drink.

I'll confess to having taken advantage of the condition he was often in." Challoner sat down and coolly lighted a cigar.

His position seemed a weak one, but he had no thought of surrender.
"Well, you have given me some interesting information; but there's one thing you haven't mentioned, and that is your reason for doing so." "Can't you guess ?" "I shouldn't have suspected you of being so diffident, but I dare say you thought this was a chance for earning some money easily." "Yes," said Clarke.

"For five thousand pounds, I'll undertake that no word of what I've told you will ever pass my lip's again." "And do you suppose I'd pay five thousand pounds to see my nephew wronged ?" "I believe you might do so to save your son." Challoner controlled his anger, for he wished to lead the man on and learn something about his plans.
"Out of the question!" he said briefly.
"Then I'll make you an alternative offer--and it's worth considering.
Take, or get your friends to subscribe for ten thousand pounds' worth of shares in a commercial syndicate I'm getting up.