“I see one gentleman here whom I had expected to find,” remarked Tom quietly.
“Me?” hinted Duff.
“Well, yes; you, for one, but I refer to that excellent host, Mr. Ashby, of the Mansion House.”
With a start George Ashby turned on Reade, coming closer and grinning ferociously into the face of the young chief engineer. Tom, however, managed to muster a smile as he went on:
“How do you do, Mr. Ashby? Your performance of this afternoon mystified me a good deal. I had never expected to find myself on a shooting acquaintance with you.”
Three or four of the rascals chuckled at this way of putting it, but Proprietor Ashby snarled like a wild animal.
“As for you, Mr. Duff,” Reade resumed, “I confess that I have never been able to understand you.”
“You will to-night,” smiled Duff, with bland ferocity. “I can promise you, as a gambler, that I am going to give you a square deal.”
“Fine!” glowed Tom. “I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, then.”
This' time there was a general laugh. Jim Duff flushed angrily.