 had done, said, turning to Hugh:
    »Dennis's policy was mine, as you may have observed. You saw, for instance,
how I fell when I was set upon. I made no resistance. I did nothing to provoke
an outbreak. Oh dear no!«
    »No, by the Lord Harry!« cried Dennis with a noisy laugh, »you went down
very quiet, Muster Gashford - and very flat besides. I thinks to myself at the
time it's all up with Muster Gashford! I never see a man lay flatter nor more
still - with the life in him - than you did to-day. He's a rough 'un to play
with, is that 'ere Papist, and that's the fact.«
    The secretary's face, as Dennis roared with laughter, and turned his
wrinkled eyes on Hugh who did the like, might have furnished a study for the
devil's picture. He sat quite silent until they were serious again, and then
said, looking round:
    »We are very pleasant here; so very pleasant, Dennis, that but for my lord's
particular desire that I should sup with him, and the time being very near at
hand, I should be inclined to stay, until it would be hardly safe to go
homeward. I come upon a little business - yes, I do - as you supposed. It's very
flattering to you; being this. If we ever should be obliged - and we can't tell,
you know - this is a very uncertain world -«
    »I believe you, Muster Gashford,« interposed the hangman with a grave nod.
»The uncertainties as I've seen in reference to this here state of existence,
the unexpected contingencies as have come about! - Oh my eye!« Feeling the
subject much too vast for expression, he puffed at his pipe again, and looked
the rest.
    »I say,« resumed the secretary, in a slow, impressive way; »we can't tell
what may come to pass; and if we should be obliged, against our wills, to have
recourse to violence, my lord (who has suffered terribly to-day, as far as words
can go) consigns to you two - bearing in mind my recommendation of you both, as
good staunch men, beyond all doubt and suspicion - the pleasant task of
punishing this Haredale. You may do as you please with him, or his, provided
that you show no mercy, and no quarter,
