“The poll closes in three minutes, m’sieu’,” Denzil added with a dry smile, for it was clear Barouche could not reach the station in time, if the train left promptly. The swiftest horses could not get him there, and these were not the days of motor-cars. Yet it was plain Barouche meant to stick to it, and he promptly said:
“You haven’t the right time, beetle. The poll closes only when the train leaves, and your watch doesn’t show that, so don’t put on airs yet.”
“I’ll put on airs if I’ve won, m’sieu’,” Denzil answered quietly, for he saw people in the tram were trying to hear.
Barouche had been recognized, and a murmur of cheering began, followed by a hum of disapproval, for Barouche had lost many friends since Carnac had come into the fray. A few folk tried to engage Barouche in talk, but he responded casually; yet he smiled the smile which had done so much for him in public life, and the distance lessened to the station. The tram did not go quite to the station, and as it stopped, the two men hurried to the doors. As they did so, an engine gave a scream, and presently, as they reached the inside of the station, they saw passing out at the far end, the New York train.
“She started five minutes late, but she did start,” said Denzil, and there was malice in his smile.
As he looked at his watch, he saw Junia passing out of a door into the street, but Barode Barouche did not see her—his eyes were fixed on the departing train.
For a moment Barouche stood indecisive as to whether he should hire a locomotive and send some one after the train, and so get in touch with Luzanne in that way, or send her a telegram to the first station where the train would stop in its schedule; but presently he gave up both ideas. As he turned towards the exit of the station, he saw Denzil, and he came forward.
“I think you’ve won, mon petit chien,” he said with vindictiveness, “but my poll comes to-morrow night, and I shall win.”
“No game is won till it’s all played, m’sieu’, and this innings is mine!”
“I am fighting a bigger man than you, wasp,” snarled Barouche.