THE UNKNOWN MR. KENT
"Disappointed?" queried the American, with cool insolence.
"Not much," came the ready reply with equal coolness. "The way you passed the combination over was—well—significant. "
"Suppose we sit down," Kent suggested. "We've got quite a lot of things to discuss, haven't we?"
"That depends on you. Of course if you are quite amenable I seem to be in the position of strength. I'll listen to anything you've got to offer."
"You'll listen? That's good. If you only came to listen, why did you come at all? Say, Provarsk! You don't think I'm fool enough to believe you came here merely on a polite visit, do you? Just because you wanted to hear the sweet sound of my voice? You came because I've got things you want. Things you think I might trade. Things that if you don't get, might upset your little pile of bricks and tip you over into the gutter. Come, let's not try to play blind man's buff. What are you after? What card do you need to fill your flush?"
"Pretty fair talk for a man who is shut in his own room under arrest," commented Provarsk. "What is it the English call it—Swank. Yes, that's it. Bluff, I think you style it, you Yankees."
"Not at all, " Kent insisted, seriously. "A real
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