The professor interrupted his reflections by saying:
“My boy, I’ve come to a great decision.” He paused impressively. “I’m an old man, and I am afraid that death may come on me unawares, my life work unfinished. I have decided that you are to carry it on. You shall begin where I leave off. I am going to instruct you in the system. You shall take the avenging sword from my failing grasp.”
Hugh made a gesture of protest. “I say, professor, it’s awfully good of you. I assure you I’m humbly grateful; but really I’m quite unworthy.”
“I know of no one so worthy.”
“Oh, no, the honour’s too great. Besides, I’ve made up my mind never to play again. A resolution’s a resolution, you know.”
“I know. You have force of will. But think.... You are not playing for yourself but for humanity. Yours will be a mission, the ridding society of a dangerous pest. In destroying the Casino you will be God’s avenger.”
“But, professor, I’m just a common ordinary sort of chap. I don’t want to be anybody’s avenger. As for the Casino, I don’t bear it any ill will. If I had lost, perhaps I might, but it has treated me well. Of course, I know it’s a plague spot, a menace to mankind and all that sort of thing, but that’s none of my business as far as I can see.”
The professor looked both grieved and shocked. “But don’t you want to be a benefactor to mankind? Don’t you want to fulfil a great destiny, to be a reformer, the leader of a new crusade?”
“No, professor, I admit with shame I don’t want to be any of those things. All I want is to live a quiet life and make a comfortable living. There’s a cottage with a garden and a second-hand Panhard I have my eye on. Between them I can rub along. Then on off days, I’ll paint. I’ve just begun to get the feeling of the place, and I think I can do good work. But there! You’re not an artist. You won’t understand.”
The professor seemed quite crushed. He sat silent and thoughtful. Finally he said: