"Why, that word Hereingefallen shows that the chap who looted this Talayot knew we were on the track; and as I haven't mentioned a word about the affair to any one except Haigh, it stands to reason you've split."
"I assure you, Mr. Cospatric——"
"Oh, very likely you didn't do it on purpose. But you've got into conversation with some smart fellow, who's pumped you carefully without letting you get an inkling of what he's got hold of."
"Upon my word of honour as a gentleman, sir——"
"Faith, gentleman! your word of honour! What's that worth?"
"I must say you are very—very—er—rude. I would have you remember that I am a graduate of Oxford, and as such——"
"Of course take brevet rank as 'gentleman.' An 'M.A. and a gentleman.' Lovely!"
"And you," shouted the little man, with a sudden spasm of rage—"you who presume to lecture me are a man who has been expelled from Cambridge, a man of no means and no profession, a blackmailer—a—a——"
He spluttered and stopped for want of epithets.
"Blackleg," I suggested, "chevalier d'industrie, and all the rest of it. Very well; I'll admit the whole indictment if it pleases you. And"—I laughed, and stopped to load and light a pipe—"and now let's stop slanging one another like a pair of drabs in a sailor's pothouse, and go our several ways. I'm sure I don't want to see your face again, and I don't suppose you're anxious to feast your eyes on mine."