Slaves of Obsession by Anne Perry Page B

cause and cannot see any other point of view. I am afraid he will wait until I do speak to him, and to tell you the truth, I would rather my daughter did not meet with him again, as she may do if I do not see him straightaway.” There was tenderness and exasperation in his face. “She is very young and full of ideals. She is rather like he is. She can see the justice of only one cause, and nothing at all of any other.”
    “By all means see him,” Monk agreed, rising to his feet. “I can very easily wait. I really have little to say anyway. I came because you asked me to report regardless.”
    Alberton smiled briefly. “Actually, I think that was rather more Robert than I, but I can see his purpose. One can feel helpless, out of control, if one has no idea what is happening. All the same, I should be obliged if you would remain while I see Breeland, if you would? Another presence here may calm his excess a trifle. I really thought I hadmade myself plain before.” He turned to the butler, who was still waiting patiently. “Yes, Hallows, ask Mr. Breeland to come in.”
    “Yes, sir.” Hallows withdrew obediently, but for an instant, before he masked it, his opinion of Breeland’s importunity was clear in his face. Monk imagined Hallows would wait well within call.
    Lyman Breeland appeared a moment later, as if he had been on the butler’s heels. He was dressed very formally in a dark, high-buttoned suit and well-cut boots with a fine polish.
    He was quite clearly disconcerted to see Monk present.
    Alberton observed it. “Mr. Monk is my guest,” he said coolly. “He has no interest in armaments and is not a rival for anything you would wish. But I have told you before, Mr. Breeland, the guns that interest you are already sold—”
    “No, they are not!” Breeland interrupted him. “You are in negotiation. You have not been paid, and believe me, sir, I know that. The Union has its ways of gaining information. You have been given a deposit, but the Rebels are short of funds, and you may be fortunate to see the second half of your price.”
    “Possibly,” Alberton said with a distinct chill. “But I have no reason to suppose those I deal with are not men of honor, and whether they are or not, it is not your concern.”
    “I have the money in full,” Breeland said. “Tell Philo Trace to produce the same! See if he can.”
    “I have given my word, sir, and I do not withdraw it,” Alberton replied, his face set in hard lines, his anger unmistakable.
    “You are conniving at slavery!” Breeland’s voice rose. His body was stiff, his shoulders high. “How can any civilized man do that? Or have you passed beyond civilization into decadence? Do you no longer care where your comforts come from or who pays for them?”
    Alberton was white to the lips. “I don’t set myself up as a judge of men or of nations,” he said quietly. “Perhaps I should? Maybe I should require every prospective purchaser to justify himself before me and account for every shot hewill take with any gun I sell him. And since that is manifestly preposterous, then perhaps I should not sell guns at all?”
    “You are reducing the argument to absurdity!” Breeland countered, splashes of pink in his cheeks. “The moral difference between the attacker and the defender is clear enough to any man. So is the difference between the slave owner and the man who would free everyone. Only a sophist of the utmost hypocrisy would argue differently.”
    “I could argue that the Confederate who wishes to set up his own government according to his belief in what is right has more justification to his cause than the Unionist who would oblige him to remain in a union he no longer wishes,” Alberton replied. “But that is not the issue, as you well know. Trace came to me before you did, and I agreed to sell him armaments. I do not break my word. That is the point, Mr. Breeland, and the only point. Trace has not misled me or deceived me in any way that