men
banqueting in this style did not surprise me one whit, only I wished to
be away from a place whose atmosphere poisoned me, and where every word
seemed garnished with some horrible oath. I whispered this thought to
Hall, and he said, "Yes," and rose to go, but the Captain pulled him
back, crying--

"What, little Jew, you wouldn't eat at other people's cost! Down with
it, man, down with it; fill your pockets, stuff 'em to the top. Let's
see you laugh, old wizen-face, a great sixty per cent. croak coming
from your very boots--here, you, John, give the man who hasn't got any
money some more drink; make him take a draught."

The men were becoming warmed with the stuff they had taken, and
furiously offensive. One of them held Hall while the others forced
champagne down his throat, and the man "Roaring John" attempted to pay
me a similar compliment, but I struck the cup from his hand, and he
drew a knife, turning on me. The action was foolish, for in a moment a
tumult ensued. I heard fierce cries, the smash of overturned boards and
lights, and remembered no more than some terrific blows delivered with
my left, as Molt of Cambridge taught me, a sharp pain in my right
shoulder as a knife went home, the voice of Hall crying, "Make for the
door--the door," and the great yell of Captain Black above the others.
His word, no doubt, saved us from greater harm; for when I had thought
that my foolhardiness had undone us, and that we should never leave the
place alive, I found myself in the Rue Joubert with Hall at my side, he
torn and bleeding as I was, but from a slight wound only.

"That was near ending badly," he said, looking at the skin-deep cut on
my shoulder. "They're wild enough sober, but Heaven save anyone from
them when they're the other way!"

I looked at him steadily for a moment; then I asked--

"Hall, what does it mean? Who are these men, and what business carries
you amongst them?"

"That you'll learn when you open the papers; but I don't think you will
open them yet, for I'm going to succeed." He was gay almost to
frivolity once more. "Did you hear him ask me to sail with him from
Dieppe to-morrow?"

"I did, and I believe you're fool enough to go. Did you see the look he
gave you when he said 'Yes'?"

"Never mind his look. I must risk that and more, as I have risked it
many a time. Once aboard his yacht I shall have the key which will
unlock six feet of rope for that man, or you may call me the Fool
again