Longworth arched his eye-brows and gazed at John through his eyeglass. 'I
will let you have my third of the money, if that will do any good.'

'How much money does Von Brent want?'

'How should I know? To tell you the truth, Mr. Kenyon--and truth never
hurts, or oughtn't to--I don't at all like this visit to America. You and
Mr. Wentworth have been good enough to be suspicious about me from the
very first. You have not taken any pains to conceal it, either of you.
Your appearance in America at this particular juncture is nothing more
nor less than an insult to me. I intend to receive it as such.'

'I have no intention of insulting you,' said Kenyon, 'if you are dealing
fairly with me.'

'There it is again. That remark is an insult. Everything you say is a
reflection upon me. I wish to have nothing more to say to you. I give you
my advice that it is better for you, and cheaper, to go back to London.
You need not act on it unless you like. I have nothing further to say to
you and so this interview may be considered closed.'

'And how about the mine?'

'I imagine the mine will take care of itself.'

'Do you think this is courteous treatment of a business partner?'

'My dear sir, I do not take my lessons in courtesy from you. Whether you
are pleased or displeased with my treatment of you is a matter of supreme
indifference to me. I am tired of living in an atmosphere of suspicion,