human
Anybody know anything?
gpt
Waste of time, he said.
human
Waste of time. Barraclough will never get out of London by ordinary ways. It was a useless attempt.
gpt
Well, we don't know.
human
He hadn't got through at ten thirty last night, said Cranbourne.
gpt
He was dining at the Berkeley Grill. 'Course he might have had a shot later.
human
Did you speak to him?
gpt
No--just nodded. Billings tells me he was shot at when he tried to make the tug on the river.
human
The boat was shot at, you mean,
gpt
Anyone rung him up this morning?
human
No, it was arranged we shouldn't.
gpt
Then he's sure to be here soon.
human
No good,
gpt
You look tired, Barraclough,
human
Am a bit.
gpt
Did you try to make Hendon?
human
Did I try? Yes, I tried and travelled a Wild West shooting man on the lid of the cab who worked a hold up by The Welsh Harp. Far as I can see there must be hundreds out to prevent me. His mouth hardened.
gpt
But I'm going to do it. I mean to do it somehow.
human
Ardent young man,
gpt
Recklessness is a luxury we can't afford.
human
I'm prepared to take chances,
gpt
That's all very well, said Cassis sourly,
human
Pooh! pooh! pooh! said Mr. Torrington.
gpt
That was understood.
human
It was, said Barraclough and swivelled round to face Cassis.
gpt
I've said frankly that until I get the concession no one but myself will be told the map reference. That's absolute.
human
It was a pity you didn't get the concession when you made the discovery.
gpt
You know quite well that I wasn't sure. A false move might have brought every prospector in the world to the place--would have done. Besides with all this post-war territorial shuffle it was pretty nearly impossible to say which government actually owned the land. Been jolly if we'd got a title too soon and from the wrong people.
human
But the territorial point has been cleared up now, hasn't it?
gpt
Still you're pretty confident of getting the concession if you manage to get clear.
human
If I can slip through and they don't stop me I'll be back with the whole thing settled in three weeks from the hour of starting.
gpt
And during those three weeks, said Cassis sourly,
human
Van Diest and his crowd will subject us to an intensive course of financial buffeting. As matter of fact he has begun already.
gpt
Well, it was no fault of mine the other side knew anything about it, said Barraclough.
human
If your confidential secretary had kept his mouth shut----
gpt
There is no use in discussing that,
human
Getting very active is Van Diest, he remarked.
gpt
Not a good loser, poor fellow. Quite set his heart on getting into our little syndicate. Started unloading American Rails yesterday afternoon--broke the market badly. I had to reciprocate by selling Dutch Oils. Our losses on the day were about equal.