I've been thinking over what Clarke said to you.

His game's obvious, and it might have been a profitable one.
He wanted you to help him in squeezing Colonel Challoner." "He knows now that he applied to the wrong man." "Suppose the fellow goes to work without you?
It looks as if he'd learned enough to make him dangerous." "He can do nothing.

Let him trump up any plausible theory he likes; it won't stand for a moment after I deny it." "True," agreed Harding gravely.

"But if you were out of the way, he'd have a free hand.

As you wouldn't join him, you're a serious obstacle." Blake laughed.
"I'm glad I am; and as I come of a healthy stock there's reason to believe I'll continue one." Harding said nothing more, and they went on in silence through the gathering darkness.