a word. His quick mind had
perceived his advantage; in thus dunning him for the cream of the
cellar, Michael was playing into his hand. "One bottle?" he thought. "By
George, I'll give him two! this is no moment for economy; and once the
beast is drunk, it's strange if I don't wring his secret out of him."

With two bottles, accordingly, he returned. Glasses were produced, and
Morris filled them with hospitable grace.

"I drink to you, cousin!" he cried gaily. "Don't spare the wine-cup in
my house."

Michael drank his glass deliberately, standing at the table; filled it
again, and returned to his chair, carrying the bottle along with him.

"The spoils of war!" he said apologetically. "The weakest goes to the
wall. Science, Morris, science." Morris could think of no reply, and for
an appreciable interval silence reigned. But two glasses of the still
champagne produced a rapid change in Michael.

"There's a want of vivacity about you, Morris," he observed. "You may be
deep; but I'll be hanged if you're vivacious!"

"What makes you think me deep?" asked Morris with an air of pleased
simplicity.

"Because you won't compromise," said the lawyer. "You're deep dog,
Morris, very deep dog, not t' compromise--remarkable deep dog. And a
very good glass of wine; it's the only respectable feature in the
Finsbury family, this wine; rarer thing than a title--much rarer. Now a
man with glass wine like this in cellar, I wonder why won't compromise?"

"Well, _you_ wouldn't compromise before, you know," said the smiling
Morris. "Turn about is fair play."

"I wonder why _I_ wouldn' compromise? I wonder why _you_ wouldn'?"
inquired Michael. "I wonder why we each think the other wouldn'? 'S
quite a remarrable--remarkable problem," he added, triumphing over oral
obstacles, not without obvious pride. "Wonder what we each think--don't
you?"

"What do you suppose to have been my reason?" asked Morris adroitly.

Michael looked at him and winked. "That's cool," said he. "Next thing,
you'll ask me to help you out of the muddle. I know I'm emissary of
Providence, but not that kind! You get out of it yourself, like AEsop and
the other fellow. Must be dreadful muddle for young orphan o' forty;
leather business and all!"

"I am sure I don't know what you mean," said Morris.

"Not sure I know myself," said Michael. "This is exc'lent vintage,
sir--exc'lent vintage. Nothing against the tipple. Only thing: here's a
valuable uncle disappeared