t as bad as all that？ I am not very thin skinned； I can assure you； Knighton。〃
〃No；〃 said Knighton； 〃but this …〃
He paused。
Derek eyed him keenly。
〃Go on； out with it；〃 he said kindly。 〃I can imagine my dear father…in…law's errands might not always be pleasant ones。〃
Knighton cleared his throat。 He spoke formally in tones that he strove to render free of embarrassment。
〃I am directed by Mr Van Aldin to make you a definite offer。〃
〃An offer？〃 For a moment Derek showed his surprise。 Knighton's opening words were clearly not what he had expected。 He offered a cigarette to Knighton； lit one himself； and sank back in his chair； murmuring in a slightly sardonic voice：
〃An offer？ That sounds rather interesting。〃
〃Shall I go on？〃
〃Please。 You must forgive my surprise； but it seems to me that my dear father…in…law has rather climbed down since our chat this morning。 And climbing down is not what one associates with strong men。 Napoleons of finance； etc。 It shows … I think it shows that he finds his position weaker than he thought it。〃
Knighton listened politely to the easy； mocking voice； but no sign of any kind showed itself on his rather stolid countenance。
He waited until Derek had finished； and then he said quietly：
〃I will state the proposition in the fewest possible words。〃
Knighton did not look at the other。 His voice was curt and matter…of…fact。
〃The matter is simply this。