"I must speak honestly. I have done all I could, and nothing has come of it. I might continue as long as you continued to engage my services, but it would be only throwing your money away."
It was an unusual confession for a man in his line to make. Private inquiry agents have generally the quality of the leech, and will suck the last drop of blood out of a client, but Basil had won the commiseration of his landlord.
"I must take the case into my own hands," said Basil gloomily. "I intended, indeed, to tell you as much myself--for pressing reasons. I thank you for all you have done for me."
"Little enough," said Mr. Philpott "I wish you better luck than I have had. Mind you, I don't give it up entirely, but if I do anything more it will not be for pay."
"You are, and have been, very kind. Have you made out your account?"
Mr. Philpott presented it, and Basil settled it. Then he said: "Will you ask your wife to step up and see me?"
"Yes, sir. Now don't you be cast down, sir; it is a long lane that has no turning, and there's no telling at any moment what may turn up. I should like to take the liberty of asking one question."
"If, after all, the search should be successful, is it likely you would be in a better position than you are now? I am taking a liberty, I know, but I don't mean it as such. You told me at first you were not overburdened with funds; if it has been all going out and none coming in, you must be worse off now."
"I am very much worse off, Mr. Philpott. I will answer your question. Should I succeed in finding the man I am hunting--a poor hunt it has proved to be, with no quarry in view--I have reason to believe that I should obtain funds which would enable me to discharge any liabilities I may incur."
"Thank you, sir," said Mr. Philpott, pushing across the table the money which Basil had paid him; "then suppose I wait."
"No," said Basil gently, "take it while you are sure of it, and you have a family."
"But I can afford to wait, sir. If I lost ten times as much it would not break me."
"I must insist upon you taking it, Mr. Philpott."
It was the pride of the poor gentleman, who would leave himself penniless rather than leave an obligation unsettled. Mr. Philpott recognised it as such, and recognised also that it marked the difference between them--which increased the respect he felt for Basil. He pocketed the money reluctantly.