If I can obtain it by any merit I possess, I utilize that merit, providing always, that I can secure my object in the time, otherwise--" He shrugged his shoulders.
"I see," she said, nodding her head quickly.

"I suppose that is how blackmailers feel." He frowned.
"That is a word I never use, nor do I like to hear it employed," he said.

"Blackmail suggests to me a vulgar attempt to obtain money." "Which is generally very badly wanted by the people who use it," said the girl, with a little smile, "and, according to your argument, they are also justified." "It is a matter of plane," he said airily.

"Viewed from my standpoint, they are sordid criminals--the sort of person that T.X.meets, I presume, in the course of his daily work.

T.X.," he went on somewhat oracularly, "is a man for whom I have a great deal of respect.