My help will handicap you at first,"-- his voice grew dry and hard here,-"but once you have got a start you can shake me off as quick as you like.

It's a perfectly selfish proposition I'm making, Harwood; it simply gets down to this, that I need your help." "Of course, Mr.Bassett; if I can serve you in any way--" "Anything you can do for me you may do if you don't feel that you will be debasing yourself in fighting under my flag.

It's a black flag, they say--just as black as Thatcher's.

I don't believe you want to join Thatcher; the question is, do you want to stick to me ?" Bassett had spoken quietly throughout.

He had made no effort to play upon Harwood's sympathies or to appeal to his gratitude.