"Yes. And if I had a friend who could point out to me my best way of doing it, and help me to choose the time and place, why, I should feel very grateful to that friend."
Pyke looked somewhat mystified for a moment, then he started, and a look of cunning flashed from his eyes.
"Why, you hate him, too, guv'nor!" he exclaimed, hoarsely, with an oath.
Austin Ambrose looked at him and smiled.
"After all, you are not such a fool as you looked, my friend," he said.
Pyke stood eying him stealthily and curiously, then he slapped his knee cautiously.
"I've got it!" he said with a leer. "He's after your girl, guv'nor!"
Austin Ambrose smiled again.
"You are really an intelligent person, Mr. Pyke," he said, suavely. "And now that we understand each other—and we do, I think?"
Pyke swore horribly for assent.