"That's right; fair is fair all the world over," he was talking to them in their own language, "but it isn't fair for a trained man, practising every day, to take advantage of a plucky sort of chap like Charlie, now is it?"
There was silence.
"A bet is a bet," he repeated, "but it's not sporting to bet on a cert. 'All bets off' in that case is the rule," he said.
Carstairs was slowly dressing; he stopped with his collar in his hand. "That man is a rogue and a liar," he said, "he doesn't know the meaning of the term sport."
"Ha! Ha! Hear that. Ask him if he'd take me on the same terms that he took Charlie on?"
"Yes, here and now," Carstairs answered, starting to undress again. "And glad of the chance."
The navvies cheered. "'Ear. 'Ear. That's a toff, that's sport. Clear the ring, mates. Let the two toffs set to."
The stewards cleared the ring again, the navvies stepped back in expectant silence, they expected something exceptional this time. Charlie stepped up to Carstairs. "I'll be your second, mister. Let this yer bloke (pointing to Bounce) be referee." He was as brisk and lively as ever again.
"Thanks," Carstairs said. "You and I must have a drink together before I go back."
Charlie grinned with real pleasure. "Thank ye, sir," he said.