stamp at Somerset House next morning for sixpence. He is to receive back a quarter share of the chemist shop. You will impress upon him that if he says a word about this bargain to anyone but yourself, he will jeopardise its completion.
"The method I have outlined you will apply to each and all of the shopkeepers on the streets surrounding Brassard's stores. Do you think you can do this?"
"I can," said Bendale, and closed his mouth like a trap.
His young lordship was pleased with him.
"Now, as you deal with each man, pledge him to secrecy, and make silence on his part a condition of the bargain. Do all this as quickly as you can, but show no eagerness during each negotiation. Until we have got what we want, there is to be no change whatever in the conduct of the various businesses. There is to be no enterprise, no zeal, no talk, athough doubtless someone will babble in spite of us; therefore time is an essence of the scheme. These various contracts are bound to leak out ultimately, so you must work night and day until we have everything clinched. I'd like to unmask my batteries some fine morning when Brassard is dressing his windows, and thus give him the first hint of what's before him, by a broadside all along the line. That's very probably past praying for in this garrulous town, but nevertheless speed, speed, speed, until we get what we want."
