t. I'm as partial to a main as anybody.

BRODIE. It's not an elegant taste, Mr. Hunt.

HUNT. It costs as much as though it was. And that reminds me, speaking
as one sportsman to another, Mr. Deacon, I was sorry to hear that you've
been dropping a hatful of money lately.

BRODIE. You are very good.

HUNT. Four hundred in three months, they tell me.

BRODIE. Ah!

HUNT. So they say, sir.

BRODIE. They have a perfect right to say so, Mr. Hunt.

HUNT. And you to do the other thing? Well, I'm a good hand at keeping
close myself.

BRODIE. I am not consulting you, Mr. Hunt; 'tis you who are consulting
me. And if there is nothing else (_rising_) in which I can pretend to
serve you...?

HUNT (_rising_). That's about all, sir, unless you can put me on to
anything good in the way of heckle and spur? I'd try to look in.

BRODIE. O come, Mr. Hunt, if you have nothing to do, frankly and flatly
I have. This is not the day for such a conversation; and so good-bye to
you. (_A knocking, C._)

HUNT. Servant, Mr. Deacon. (_SMITH and MOORE, without waiting to be
answered, open and enter, C. They are well into the room before they
observe HUNT._) (Talk of the devil, sir!)

BRODIE. What brings you here? (_SMITH and MOORE, confounded by the
officer's presence, slouch together to right of door. HUNT, stopping as
he goes out, contemplates the pair, sarcastically. This is supported by
MOORE with sullen bravado; by SMITH with cringing airiness._)

HUNT (_digging SMITH in the ribs_). Why, you are the very parties I was
looking for! (_He goes out, C._)

SCENE VIII

BRODIE, MOORE, SMITH

MOORE. Wot was that cove here about?

BRODIE (_with folded arms, half-sitting on bench_). He was here about
you.

SMITH (_still quite discountenanced_). About us? Scissors! And what did
you tell him?

BRODIE (_same attitude_). I spoke of you as I have found you. (I told
him you were a disreputable hound, and that Moore had crossed a fight.)
I told him you were a drunken ass, and Moore an incompetent and
dishonest boxer.

MOORE. Look here, Deacon! Wot's up? Wot I ses is, if a cove's got any
thundering grudge agin a cove, why can't he spit it out, I ses.

BRODIE. Here are my answers. (_Producing purse and dice._) These are
both too light. This purse is empty, these dice are not loaded. Is it
indiscretion to inquire how you share? Equal with the Captain, I
presume?

SMITH. It's as easy as my eye, Deakin. Slink Ainslie got letting the