Come, take the money, Brett, and give me the bills," she
added, with a touch of impatience.
He picked up one of the notes and fingered it thoughtfully, then replaced
it on the pile once more.
"I'm sorry," he said mildly. "But it isn't you who owe me this money. It's
Brabazon. So I can't accept repayment from you."
Cara glanced at him swiftly. Her lips felt suddenly dry.
"What do you mean?" she asked nervously.
"Just what I say. Brabazon is my debtor--you haven't authority to act for
him, by any chance, have you?"
"Authority? No. But I'm willing--I'm only too glad to be able to do this
for him."
Brett pushed the bundle of notes across the table towards her.
"I'm sorry," he repeated pensively. "It's very good of you, of course.
But I couldn't possibly take your money. I happen to be the holder of the
bills, and I only give them back to Brabazon for the amount owing--or to
Ann on the terms I suggested. Otherwise"--a sudden flame leapt up in his
eyes--"I keep them."
Cara stood as though turned to stone. The whole thing became perfectly
clear to her on the instant. It had not been just a carelessly selfish
proposal--that bargain he had made with Ann--but a deliberately thought-out
scheme.
Pages:
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470