The Price He Paid — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

46 A PLAIN TALK. ° Raven had too often to fight against the dull-witted incapacity of his subordinates not to feel satisiac- tion at being thus met half. way, some words now sufficing to convey his meaning, whereas he was frequently obliged to stoop to long and wearisome explanations. He was visibly well-pleased. The business in hand was dispatched in a comparatively short space of time, and George, having noted down some memoranda of his instructions, only waited for the signal of dismissal. “One thing more,” said the baron, in no way changing the quiet, business-like tone he had used throughout the interview. “You spent some time in Switzerland, I believe, during your late leave of absence.” “Yes, your excellency.” “T am told you there sought out associates, or, at all events, formed certain connections, unsuitable to aman holding your official position. What is the truth of the matter?” The baron’s eyes rested on the young clerk with that keen, searching gaze so dreaded by those under his command. Winterfeld, however, showed neither dismay nor embarrassment. “T sought out an old college friend in Z——,” he replied, calmly; “and at his warm instance staid some weeks at his fathers’s house, the latter being, it is true, a political refugee.” | Raven frowned. “That was an act of imprudence I should not have expected from you. You should have reflected that such a visit would naturally excite remark and arouse suspicion.” | “It was a friendly visit, nothing more. I can give my word that it had not the remotest reference to politics. This is simply and solely a private affair.” “No matter, you should take your position into consideration. A friendship with the son of a man ss eral compromised might be passed over as armless, though it would hardly go to further your advancement; but intimacy with his father and a prolonged sojourn at his house should distinctly Gomicbooks GO