"Yes, I do. He fought that battle just as if he was sure of winning, though he knew he was going to lose. Give me the man that can fight a losing battle. Anybody can play whist with four by honours in his own hands."
"I don't object to four by honours either," said Dockwrath; "and that's the game we are going to play to-morrow."
"And lose the rubber after all," said Moulder.
"No, I'm blessed if we do, Mr. Moulder. If I know anything of my own profession—"
"Humph!" ejaculated Moulder.
"And I shouldn't be here in such a case as this if I didn't;—but if I do, Lady Mason has no more chance of escape than—than—than that bit of muffin has." And as he spoke the savoury morsel in question disappeared from the fingers of the commercial traveller.
For a moment or two Moulder could not answer him. The portion of food in question was the last on his plate; it had been considerable in size, and required attention in mastication. Then the remaining gravy had to be picked up on the blade of the knife, and the particles of pickles collected and disposed of by the same process. But when all this had been well done, Moulder replied—
"That may be your opinion, Mr. Dockwrath, and I dare say you may know what you're about."
"Well; I rather think I do, Mr. Moulder."
"Mine's different. Now when one gentleman thinks one thing and another thinks another, there's nothing for it in my mind but for each gentleman to back his own. That's about the ticket in this country, I believe."