Dumbledore felt that this was not an equal trade, because even if Vaughn did not tell him, he would soon learn where Voldemort and Harry were meeting.
He glanced at Newt, then said to Vaughn, "My dear, your sincerity is not enough."
Vaughn had naturally guessed that Dumbledore would refuse. Making such a demand was merely an attempt to set the price outrageously high.
He said nothing and waited for Dumbledore to continue.
Old Dumbledore pondered for a moment before saying, "A Horcrux! Information on one Horcrux!"
Vaughn immediately turned his gaze to Fawkes and ignored Dumbledore.
Having Newt agree unconditionally to do something for him was indeed tempting, but it was not enough to exchange for information about a Horcrux.
"All right, all right—" Dumbledore seemed to concede, wearing a helpless expression. "I know Dung and Donald have been helping you conduct some secret research. Is it related to Voldemort?"
"What exactly are you researching? Or rather—what have you discovered?"
Dumbledore had actually probed into this matter long ago and suspected it was related to Horcruxes.
Since Vaughn was unwilling to trade information about Horcruxes, Dumbledore could only settle for the next best thing and try to draw it out indirectly.
Vaughn turned back and said calmly, "There is a cave hidden along Ireland's western coast. It is also where I found Regulus."
"Voldemort left behind a great deal of Dark Arts and Ancient Magic there. My research focuses on deciphering those spells."
O
"I know what you want to ask. That cave did once conceal a Horcrux, but it was a fake."
Dumbledore kept staring into Vaughn's eyes. He always felt Vaughn was hiding something, yet everything he said sounded logically sound.
Without wasting any words, Vaughn took out the fake Slytherin Locket and placed it on the