"Thomas, will you go to Brazil the first week in September?"
"God knows, I'll be glad to," said Thomas, lifting his head. His young face was colorless and haggard. "But you are putting your trust in a double-dyed ass."
"I'll take a chance at that. Now, Thomas, as no doubt you're aware, we are all Irish in this family. Hot-tempered, quick to take affront, but also quick to forgive or admit a wrong. You leave Kitty alone till to-morrow."
"I believe it best for me to leave to-night, sir."
"Nothing of the sort. Come out into the cooler, and we'll have a peg. It won't hurt either of us, after all this racket."
Half after nine. Crawford laid down his cue. From his pocket he took a bottle and gravely handed it to Haggerty.
"Smell of the cork, carefully," Crawford advised.
Haggerty did so. "Th' stuff they put th' maharajah t' sleep with!"
Then Forbes emptied his pockets.