Here was temptation in a more alluring form than
before, because it was sweetened by the prospect of eluding Jermyn. But the
desire to gain time served all the purposes of caution and resistance, and his
indifference to the speaker in this case helped him to preserve perfect
self-command.
    »You are aware,« he said, coolly, »that silence is not a commodity worth
purchasing unless it is loaded. There are many persons, I dare say, who would
like me to pay their travelling expenses for them. But they might hardly be able
to show me that it was worth my while.«
    »You wish me to state what I know?«
    »Well, that is a necessary preliminary to any further conversation.«
    »I think you will see, Mr Transome, that, as a matter of justice, the
knowledge I can give is worth something, quite apart from my future appearance
or non-appearance as a witness. I must take care of my own interest, and if
anything should hinder you from choosing to satisfy me for taking an essential
witness out of the way, I must at least be paid for bringing you the
information.«
    »Can you tell me who and where this Bycliffe is?«
    »I can.«
    »- And give me a notion of the whole affair?«
    »Yes: I have talked to a lawyer - not Jermyn - who is at the bottom of the
law in the affair.«
    »You must not count on any wish of mine to suppress evidence or remove a
witness. But name your price for the information.«
    »In that case I must be paid the higher for my information. Say, two
thousand pounds.«
    »Two thousand devils!« burst out Harold, throwing himself into his chair
again, and turning his shoulder towards Christian. New thoughts crowded upon
him. »This fellow may want to decamp for some reason or other,« he said to
himself. »More people besides Jermyn know about his evidence, it seems. The
whole thing may look black for me if it comes out. I shall be believed to have
bribed him to run away, whether or not.« Thus the outside conscience came in aid
of the inner.
    »I will not give you one sixpence for your information,« he said,
resolutely, »until time has made it clear that you do not intend to decamp, but
will be forthcoming when you are called for. On those terms I have no objection
to give you a note, specifying that after the fulfilment of that condition -