"If it's any comfort for you to know you're an utter blackguard you can hear it. A fellow like you isn't on the same level as your filthy mongrel."
"I never said we was," murmured Raffles, as he shuffled away.
CHAPTER XVIII
HODGSON'S QUIETUS
Acton now felt pretty safe as regards young Bourne. He held him fast in the double bonds of indebtedness and of gratitude, and with Jack the gratitude was by far the greater. Acton had saved him from disgrace, from a lengthened stringing up, from the scorn of his brother, from the jeers and laughter of the rest of the fellows. Like others, he could have stood Corker's rage better than the jokes of his cronies. He was received back into the fold of his own particular set with more éclat than he felt he deserved.
"Here's old Bourne gone and sacked Acton," said Grim.
"Sure Acton hasn't sacked him?" suggested Rogers.
"Best fellow breathing," said Bourne, fervently.