Drayton buttoned his coat as near to the throat as the torn lapel would allow. "That's what I mean to do. I ain't going to be lagged. It's a lifer this time, and that would take the stiff'ning out of a man."
"Where are you going?"
"No criss-crossing, I say."
"Leave this house, and they'll have you in twenty-four hours."
"Stay here, and they'll lag me in twelve. Being as that's twelve to the good, I'm off."
Drayton's hand was on the door-handle. Hugh Ritson snatched it away. "An idiot like you deserves to be taken. Such men ought to be put away."
Drayton lifted his fist. "Damme, but I'll put you away if—if—"
Hugh Ritson did not flinch. "What if I show you how to escape the consequences of to-night's work altogether?"
Drayton's uplifted hand fell. "I ain't objecting to that," he growled. "How?"
"By putting another man in your place."