"Not I, sir," Mr. Hadley put in. "I have myself a meeting to require of
Mr. Waverton."
"So? I like the air here better and better, pardieu. Well, Mr.
Waverton, we'll e'en walk out alone."
"Your bluster won't serve you, sirrah. If you be a gentleman, which you make incredible, you may proceed in order and I'll consider if I may do you the honour to meet you."
"Gentleman? Bah, I am Hector McBean, Captain in Bouffiers' regiment.
Come, sir, now are you warmer?" He struck Mr. Waverton across the eyes.
Mr. Waverton, drawing back, turned again upon Alison: "My God, did you bring your bullies here to murder me?"
"I did not bid you here," Alison said.
"Lâche," says Mr. O'Connor with a shrug.
"En effet," says McBean and sat down. "Observe, Waverton: I have given you the chance to take a clean death. You have not the courage for it. Tant mieux. You may now hang."
Mr. Waverton again made a move for the door, but Mr. O'Connor stood solidly in the way. "Attention, Waverton. You have bungled your business, as usual. Your fellow Ned Boon hath been taken and lies in Newgate. He has confessed that he and his gang were hired for this murder by a certain Geoffrey Waverton."
"It is a lie!"