"So do I," replied Shuffles, heartily.
"My dear fellow, if you should back out, I should be mad enough to help you over the rail, some dark evening, if I had a good chance."
"I don't believe I should feel any better-natured if you should break your agreement. One of us is doomed to disappointment. We have tried to make this thing as fair as possible."
"Certainly we have, and it will be as fair as anything can be. I am entirely satisfied with the voting."
"Are you?"
"Of course I am."
Shuffles was very glad of this acknowledgment in advance of the reception of the result.
"But, after all, Pelham," said he, "there may be an appearance of unfairness in the voting, after the result is declared."
"There may be; but each of us is pledged not to claim anything on account of such an appearance. If the figures of the two receivers agree, that is the end of the whole thing, and you or I will be the captain."
"That's so; but here comes McKeon," replied Shuffles, as the receiver gave him the paper on which the result of the votes he had received was written.