“You and I have reason to hate the same man. You know who I mean.”
“I can guess. Begins with a Hel.”
“He has wronged me deeply; and he hurt you.”
“That is true, sir. I think he broke my windpipe, for I'm as hoarse as a raven ever since: and I've got one or two of the shot in my cheek still.”
“Well, then, now is your time to be revenged.”
“Well, I don't know about that. What he done was in self-defense; and if I play bowls I must look for rubs.”
Coventry bit his lip with impatience. After a pause, he said, “What were you paid for that job?”
“Not half enough.”
“Twenty pounds?”
“Nor nothing like it.”