I thought his under-jaw would
drop on the floor.

"Up to a short time ago," said I candidly, "your indecent amours were
safe from my knowledge. I can be in the way of putting myself as
silent as a turtle when it comes to protecting a man from his folly
with a woman. In fact, I am a gentleman. But," I added sternly, "what
of the child?"

"The child?" he cried jumping. "May hell swallow you! And what may you
know of the child?"

I waved my hand in gentle deprecation of his excitement as I said:

"Peace, Forister; I know nothing of any child. It was only an
observation by a man of natural wit who desired to entertain himself.
And, pray, how old is the infant?"

He breathed heavily. "You are a fiend," he answered. Keeping his eyes
on the floor, he deliberated upon his choice of conduct. Presently he
sheathed his sword and turned with some of his old jauntiness toward
the door. "Very good," said he. "To-morrow we shall know more of our
own affairs."

"True," I replied.

"We shall learn if slyness and treachery are to be defeated by
fair-going and honour."

"True," said I.

"We shall learn if a snake in the grass can with freedom bite the foot
of a lion."

"True," said I.

There was a loud jovial clamour at the door, and at my cry it flew
open. Colonel Royale entered precipitately, beaming with good humour.

"O'Ruddy, you rascal," he shouted, "I commanded you to take much rest,
and here I find--" He halted abruptly as he perceived my other
visitor. "And here I find," he repeated coldly, "here I find Mr.
Forister."

Forister saluted with finished politeness. "My friend and I," he said,
"were discussing the probabilities of my killing him in the morning.
He seems to think that he has some small chance for his life, but I
have assured him that any real betting man would not wager a grain of
sand that he would see the sun go down to-morrow."

"Even so," rejoined the Colonel imperturbably.

"And I also suggested to my friend," pursued Forister, "that to-morrow
I would sacrifice my ruffles for him, although I always abominate
having a man's life-blood about my wrists."

"Even so," quoth the undisturbed Colonel.

"And further I suggested to my friend that if he came to the ground
with a coffin on his back, it might promote expedition after the
affair was over."

Colonel Royale turned away with a gesture of disgust.

I thought it was high time to play an ace at Forister and stop his
babble, so I said:

"