"Not the least taste in life," Asgill answered gaily, "unless it is backed by the gentleman or the lady."
"Yet I believe, sir, that I have a means to persuade you," Colonel John replied. "It is no more than a week ago, Mr. Asgill, since a number of persons in my presence assumed a badge so notoriously treasonable that a child could not doubt its meaning."
"In the west of Ireland," Asgill said, with a twinkle in his eye, "that is a trifle, my dear sir, not worth naming."
"But if reported in the east?"
Asgill averted his face that its smile might not be seen. "Well," he said, "it might be a serious matter there."
"I think you take me now," Colonel John rejoined. "I wish to use no threats. The least said the soonest mended."
Asgill looked at him with half-shut eyes and a lurking smile—in truth, with the amusement of a man watching the transparent scheming of a child. "As you say, the least said the soonest mended," he rejoined. "So—who is to report it in the east?"
"I will, if necessary."
"If——"
"If you push me to it."