"To have the joy of your society," returned the journalist.
"If that were really the case I'd be delighted to see you," said the Englishman. "But you're on the track of these unfortunate people who are my guests; and if you make things disagreeable for them I shan't have the slightest compunction in forbidding you the house."
The American, apparently ignoring the other's frankness, remarked:
"I admit nothing of the kind. They're perfectly innocent of the charge you bring against them, and you've been making an awful ass of yourself, if you only knew it."
"Ah, thank you. But if this is the case why didn't you mention the fact to me in Montreal?"
"And why are all these people received as honoured guests in your father's palace?"
"That, if you'll permit me to say so, Marchmont, is a matter that doesn't concern you."
"Everything concerns me. Not that I expect you to see that point of view. But to put it another way. Considering all I've done to increase the sale of your book, won't you do me a good turn and tell me what you know about this affair?"
"I wish the confounded book had never sold a copy!" burst out Banborough. "And I'll not say one word to the detriment of my friends!"
"Then it _is_ to be war?" queried the journalist, rolling a cigarette.
"Not so far as I'm concerned," replied his host. "Why don't you let bygones be bygones? A truce between the United States and Spain may be declared any day, and then--"
"Then my great scoop will be lost for ever. What would the public care about conspirators if there were no war?"
"Exactly what I say," said Cecil. "So let's drop the whole matter."
"Not much!" cried the journalist. "It's my last chance. And if you won't help me--why, I must help myself."
"How dare you mention my father's name in this connection? I won't have him dragged into publicity to sell your dirty rag of a newspaper!" Cecil exploded, thoroughly beside himself at the thought of such a dreadful possibility.
The journalist nodded his head gravely. Banborough's fierce defence of the Bishop he attributed to far other grounds than those on which it was really based. It justified him to the tramp's suspicions that his Lordship was actually connected with the plot.
"Well," he said, with a fair pretence of backing down, "there's no need of getting so hot about it. Of course I don't want to make myself disagreeable."