The men murmured their pleasure. "A rail gen'leman," they said, looking at him with admiration, while they regarded me with angry scowls.
So far he had the best of the encounter. Evidently he had determined to avoid a quarrel. Perhaps he was afraid of me, perhaps he thought it wise to refrain from fighting.
"This man seeks to buy your friendship," I said loudly. "I will tell you what he is—he is one of two things. Either a common highway robber, or a coward. If he be the first, let him fight—or I will take him to the nearest magistrate; if he is the second, you ought to drum him out of the house."
"I am not a highway robber," he replied blandly. "To prove it I am perfectly willing to go with you and these gentlemen to the nearest magistrate; put it down then that I am a coward."
"Yes," I said, "you are a coward, all the Killigrews are."
Again his eyes flashed, and this time he placed his hand on the butt end of his pistol. On looking at me, however, he again assumed a bland expression.
"You have given me a name, sir, and you have called me a coward. Well, have your own way. The truth is, although I am travelling in civilian's attire, I hope soon to be ordained a priest. For the present, therefore, I am under a vow not to fight."
"A rail gen'leman, a rail gen'leman," murmured the men.
"An arrant coward," I cried.
"I think," said Clement to the landlord, who had entered, "that your drink must be very strong here. This gentleman must be drunk."