'Get up, you jackass! Come here and see if this is what we're after.'
Mr Burton's answer was not exactly a response to this peremptory invitation.
'I'm not feeling--as I ought to feel.'
'So I should think. You'll soon be feeling still less as you ought to feel, if you don't look out.' He assisted the gentleman on to his feet. 'Now, then, pull yourself together. Come and see if what the Flyman's got is your uncle's ring.'
As Mr Burton advanced, the Flyman dropped the hand with the ringed finger.
'Don't you let him snatch at it, or I'll down him.'
'He won't snatch at it. You needn't be afraid of him.'
'I'm not afraid of him--hardly; only I thought I'd just give you a little warning, that's all. There you are, Mr Burton; there's what's worth more to you than you're likely to tell me.'
Mr Burton only bestowed upon the outstretched hand a momentary glance; he drew back as if what he saw had stung him.
'It's not!'