"Piper and me aren't blackmailers. But we've got to look out for
ourselves, same as everybody else does. It's Piper's idea--that five
hundred pounds is. 'E says 'twould ease 'is conscience to carry on the
pore old Colonel's dog-breeding. As for me, I'd just as lief 'ave 'im in
a good job--what gentlefolk call 'a cushy job'--with a gentleman like
this Major Radmore seems to be. But there! Piper's just set on them nasty
dogs, and 'e's planned it all out."
"Five hundred pounds is a great deal of money." Enid Crofton spoke in a
dull, preoccupied tone.
"Not so much as it used to be, not by any manner of means," said
Mrs. Piper shrewdly. "Think it over, Mrs. Crofton--and let us know
what you _can_ do. Perhaps it needn't be paid all in one; but best to
write to Piper next time. 'E says 'e'd like to feel you and 'im were
partners-like. I'll tell 'im I arranged for you to 'ave ten days to a
fortnight to think it over."
"Thinking won't make money," said Enid in a low voice.
"Such a beautiful young lady as yourself, Modam, can't find it difficult
to put 'er 'and on five hundred pounds," murmured Mrs. Piper, and as she
said the words there came a leering smile over her small, pursed-up
mouth.
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