Page:In bad company and other stories.djvu/280

 it? ( makes gesture of surprise.} See here; of course you're here to make money?

. Honestly—legally—certainly I am.

. Dash the honesty! the legal part's all right of course—else it wouldn't wash, you know. Now you know, this being our main camp, it ain't the good you can do yourself, but the harm you can do him—the boss—the Hon'ble Rufus that's what you're looking at, naturally.

(appears puzzled). Can't understand you.

. Perhaps you'll understand this (takes out cheque). Mr. Polyblock says, 'Gayters,' says he, 'we've not been half sharp this time; this here land ought to have been secured. But the young chap's been and got the pull, and we can't afford to lose our main camp. Of course he'll go pounding our stock night and day; so you take him this five 'undred pound—five 'undred! and give it him on conditions as he does the residence for twelve months and then conveys the s'lection over to me, all legal and ship-shape,' says he—and here it is. (Hands out cheque} Ha! ha! I expect you understand me now.

(rising slowly}. I believe I do.

(rising quickly). Just you sign this, then.

(with lofty anger). Confound your cheque, sir! Take it back, and with it my scorn and contempt, which you can present to your master, telling him from me, at the same time, that you are a pair of scoundrels!

. Scoundrels! What d'ye mean? Are yer off yer chump? A free selector to call the Hon'ble Mr. Polyblock of Bundabah and his super a pair of scoundrels! Take care what you're about, young man. A camp's a public place, or close up. ' Words calculated to cause a breach of the peace'

(deliberately). Yes, scoundrels! First of all to insult a gentleman by treating him as a rascally blackmailer; secondly, by offering an honest man money to break the law of the land—to violate every principle of honour and integrity. And now, if you don't quit my land at once, I'll kick you from here into the brook!

(hastily mounting). You take care what you're about, young man—two can play at that game. (Aside—Most extraordinary chap! Rummest free selector I ever seen.)