Philp as he loomed up and swam into ken through 'Bias's awed surmise;
and the effort shall be abandoned.

Mr Philp slowly unwound the woollen wrap that had swathed his beard out
of sight.

"Clever things, birds," said Mr Philp, and his voice seemed to regain
its identity as the folds of the bandage dropped from him. "I wonder
whether shavin' would help! . . . I don't like to be beat."

'Bias, who had come with that very intent, lifted a hand--but let it
fall again. No, he could not!

"Good Lord!" he ejaculated, and fled from the house.

Outside, Fancy--who had seen all--was executing a fandango on the step.

"Help!" she called, taunting him. "_Who_ talked o' liftin' a hand
against a woman?"

CHAPTER XXI.

THE AUCTION.

One result of the paragraph in 'The Troy Herald' was to harden the two
friends' estrangement just at the moment when it promised to melt.
Troy with its many amenities has a deplorable appetite for gossip; and
to this appetite the contention of Captain Hocken and Captain Hunken for
Mrs Bosenna's hand gave meat and drink. (There was, of course, no
difficulty in guessing what Mr Shake Benny would have called "the
_inamorata's_ identity.") Malicious folk, after their nature, assumed
the pair to be in quest of her money. The sporting ones laid bets.
Every one discussed the item with that frankness which is so
characteristic of the little town, and so engaging when you arrive at
knowing us, though it not infrequently disconcerts the newcomer.
Barber Toy--having Cai at his mercy next morning, with a razor close to
his throat--heartily wished him success.

"Not," added Mr Toy, "that I bear any ill-will to Cap'n Hunken. But I
back a shaved chin on principle, for the credit of the trade."

A sardonic and travelled seaman, waiting his turn in the corner,
hereupon asked how he managed when it came to the Oxford and Cambridge
boat-race.

"I'll tell you," answered Mr Toy. "I wasn't at Oxford myself--_nor_ at
Cambridge; and for years I'd back one or 'nother, 'cordin' to the
newspapers. But that isn't a satisfactory way. When you're dealin'
with an honest event--_honest_, mind you--as goes on year after year
between two parties both ekally set on winnin', the only way to get real
satisfaction is to pick your fancy an' go on backin' it. That gives ye
a different interest altogether, like with Liberal or Conservative at a
General Election. If you don't win this time, you look forward to ne