“Good.” Wolfe drank, and wiped his lips. “I think we should get along.
I am aware that Mr. Lindquist’s claim against you has no legal standing on account of the expiration of time.
The same is true of the claim of various others; besides, the paper you signed which originally validated it is not available.
But it is a sound and demonstrable moral obligation, and I calculated that rather than have that fact shown in open court you would prefer to pay.
It would be an unusual case and would arouse much public interest.
Not only are you a peer of England, you are in this country on an important and delicate diplomatic mission, and therefore such publicity would be especially undesirable.
Would you not rather pay what you owe, or at least a fraction of it, than permit the publicity?
I calculated that you would.
Do you find the beer tolerable?”
Clivers put down his glass and licked his lips.
“It’ll do.”
He screwed up his mouth and looked at Wolfe.
“By God, you know, you might mean that.”
“Verily, sir.”
“Yes, by God, you might. I’ll tell you what I thought.
I thought you were basing the claim on that horse with the pretense that it was additional to the obligation I assumed when I signed that paper.
The horse wasn’t mentioned in the paper.
Not a bad idea, an excellent go at blackmail.
It all sounds fantastic now, but it wasn’t then.
If I hadn’t signed that paper and if it hadn’t been for that horse I would have had a noose around my neck.
Not so damn pleasant, eh?
And of course that’s what you’re doing, claiming extra for the horse.
But it’s preposterous.
Two hundred thousand pounds for a horse?
I’ll pay a thousand.”
Wolfe shook his head.
“I dislike haggling.
Equally I dislike quibbling.
The total claim is in question, and you know it.
I represent not only Mr. and Miss Lindquist but also the daughter of Gilbert Fox, and indirectly Mr. Walsh; and I was to have represented Mr. Scovil, who was murdered last evening.” He shook his head again. “No, Lord Clivers.
In my letter I based the claim on the horse only because the paper you signed is not available.
It is the total claim we are discussing, and, strictly speaking, that would mean half of your entire wealth.
As I said, my clients are willing to accept a fraction.”
Clivers had a new expression on his face.
He no longer glared, but looked at Wolfe quietly intent.
He said,
“I see.
So it’s a serious game, is it?
I would have paid a thousand for the horse, possibly even another thousand for the glass of beer.
But you’re on for a real haul by threatening to make all this public and compromise my position here.
Go to hell.”
He got up.
Wolfe said patiently,
“Permit me.
It isn’t a matter of a thousand or two for a horse.
Precisely and morally, you owe these people half of your wealth.
If they are willing—”
“Bah!
I owe them nothing!
You know damn well I’ve paid them.”