‘Now, look here, mate,’ roared Heckett. ‘I’m going to take Preene’s advice.’
Marston looked at him wonderingly.
‘Yes, I’m goin’ to obleege you; but as you sets such a vally on my room hinsted o’ my cumpeny, you must pay a fair price.
Marston hesitated.
‘And if I give you what you ask,’ he said, ‘what guarantee have I that you won’t molest me again.’
‘None,’ answered Heckett. ‘None, you double-faced cheat!
You’ve started the rounding game, and it’s one as I can play at too. If you don’t pay me handsome, I’ll split on the whole d——d lot of you. Come!’
He had raised his voice, and was shouting so loud that neither of them heard a ring at the front door. The servant opened it, and the next moment Seth Preene walked into the room.
He closed the door and faced Heckett defiantly.
‘You’ve come then?’ he said.