‘It’s a very serious matter,’ the young man went on, ‘and I don’t know how it’ll affect me, but the fact is, this morning I overheard a private conversation.’
‘Oh!’ said Soames.
‘Yes, sir. I quite understand your tone, but the very first words did it. I simply couldn’t make myself known after hearing them. I think you’ll agree, sir.’
‘Who were the speakers?’
‘The manager, and a man called Smith – I fancy by his accent his name’s a bit more foreign – who’s done most of the agenting for the German business.’
‘What were the words?’ said Soames.
‘Well, sir, the manager was speaking, and then this Smith said: “Quite so, Mr Elderson, but we haven’t paid you a commission on all this business for nothing; if the mark goes absolutely phut, you will have to see that your Society makes it good for us!”’
The intense longing, which at that moment came on Soames to emit a whistle, was checked by sight of Gradman’s face. The old fellow’s mouth had opened in the nest of his grizzly short beard; his eyes stared puglike, he uttered a prolonged: ‘A-ow!’
‘Yes,’ said the young man, ‘it was a knock-out!’
‘Where were you?’ asked Soames, sharply.
‘In the lobby between the manager’s room and the boardroom. I’d just come from sorting some papers in the board-room, and the manager’s door was open an inch or so. Of course I know the voices well.’
‘What after?’
‘I heard Mr Elderson say: “H’ssh! Don’t talk like that!” and I slipped back into the board-room. I’d had more than enough, sir, I assure you.’
Suspicion and surmise clogged Soames’s thinking apparatus. Was this young fellow speaking the truth? A man like Elderson – the risk was monstrous! And, if true, what was the directors’ responsibility? But proof – proof? He stared at the young man, who looked upset and pale enough, but whose eyes did not waver. Shake him if he could! And he said sharply:
‘Now mind what you’re saying! This is most serious!’
‘I know that, sir. If I’d consulted my own interest, I’d never have come here. I’m not a sneak.’
The words rang true, but Soames did not drop his caution.
‘Ever had any trouble in the office?’
‘No, sir, you can make inquiry. I’ve nothing against Mr Elderson, and he’s nothing against me.’
Soames thought suddenly: ‘Good heavens! He’s shifted it on to me, and in the presence of a witness. And I supplied the witness!’
‘Have you any reason to suppose,’ he said, ‘that they became aware of your being there?’
‘They couldn’t have, I think.’
The implications of this news seemed every second more alarming. It was as if Fate, kept at bay all his life by clever wrist-work, had suddenly slipped a thrust under his guard. No good to get rattled, however – must think it out at leisure!
‘Are you prepared, if necessary, to repeat this to the Board?’
The young man pressed his hands together.
‘Well, sir, I’d much rather have held my tongue; but if you decide it’s got to be taken up, I suppose I must go through with it now. I’m sure I hope you’ll decide to leave it alone; perhaps it isn’t true – only why didn’t Mr Elderson say: “You ruddy liar!”?’
Exactly! Why didn’t he? Soames gave a grunt of intense discomfort.
‘Anything more?’ he said.
‘No, sir.’
‘Very well. You’ve not told anyone?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Then don’t, and leave it to me.’
‘I’ll be only too happy to, sir. Good morning!’
‘Good morning!’
No – very bad morning! No satisfaction whatever in this sudden fulfilment of his prophetic feeling about Elderson. None!
‘What d’you think of that young fellow, Gradman? Is he lying?’
Thus summoned, as it were, from stupor, Gradman thoughtfully rubbed a nose both thick and shining.
‘It’s one word against another, Mr Soames, unless you get more evidence. But I can’t see what the young man has to gain by it.’
‘Nor I; but you never know. The trouble will be to get more evidence. Can I act without it?’
‘It’s delicate,’ said Gradman. And Soames knew that he was thrown back on himself. When Gradman said a thing was delicate, it meant that it was the sort of matter on which he was accustomed to wait for orders – presumptuous even to hold opinion! But had he got one? Well, one would never know! The old chap would sit and rub his nose over it till Kingdom Come.