"
"Don't understand," said I; "unless you're telling us that Travers--"
"Travers?" His eyebrows went up. "Oh, I see what you mean.
No: Travers hasn't been running around and finding me a better-paid
job as a solatium. He's a good fellow and quite capable of it.
Even hinted at something of the sort when I broke it to him verbally,
yesterday afternoon. I thanked him, but wasn't taking any. I get
quite as much money as I want at the Silversmiths'; and I've saved a
little, too. It's freedom, not money, I want; as a means to my
little end. I want complete freedom for a couple of years, perhaps
for three, or maybe even for longer. It may be I shall have to buy
myself an annuity. I'd ask for absolute independence if it could be
had--independence of all my fellow-creatures but one. But it can't
be had: so I've come to you for help."
"Say on," I commanded.
"It's this way, Roddy. Like the late General Trochu, I have a Plan.
Unlike his, it's a Great Plan. . . . Yes, I'll give you a glimpse of
it by and by. It involves--or may involve--the cutting of all human
ties--that is of all but one.
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