could
scarce be said to have recovered my wits, "this is most unusual, most
rude. Is it the custom in Westmorland that gentlemen should be
insulted?"

"That depends," said he. "When it's suspected that gentlemen are spies
it _is_ the custom; and a good custom, too. No, no," he broke out,
perceiving me to make a movement. "Both hands upon the table, my
gentleman! I want no pistol balls in my chaise panels."

"Surely, sir, you do me strange injustice!" said I, now the master of
myself. "You see me sitting here, a monument of tranquillity: pray may I
help myself to wine without umbraging you?"

I took this attitude in sheer despair. I had no plan, no hope. The best
I could imagine was to spin the business out some minutes longer, then
capitulate. At least, I would not capitulate one moment too soon.

"Am I to take that for _no_?" he asked.

"Referring to your former obliging proposal?" said I. "My good sir, you
are to take it, as you say, for 'No.' Certainly I will not show you my
deeds; certainly I will not rise from table and trundle out to see your
magistrates. I have too much respect for my digestion, and too little
curiosity in justices of the peace."

He leaned forward, looked me nearly in the face, and reached out one
hand to the bell-rope. "See here, my fine fellow!" said he. "Do you see
that bell-rope? Let me tell you, there's a boy waiting below: one
jingle, and he goes to fetch the constable."

"Do you tell me so?" said I. "Well, there's no accounting for tastes! I
have a prejudice against the society of constables, but if it is your
fancy to have one in for the dessert----" I shrugged my shoulders
lightly. "Really, you know," I added, "this is vastly entertaining. I
assure you, I am looking on, with all the interest of a man of the
world, at the development of your highly original character."

He continued to study my face without speech, his hand still on the
button of the bell-rope, his eyes in mine; this was the decisive heat.
My face seemed to myself to dislimn under his gaze, my expression to
change, the smile (with which I had begun) to degenerate into the grin
of the man upon the rack. I was besides harassed with doubts. An
innocent man, I argued, would have resented the fellow's impudence an
hour ago; and by my continued endurance of the ordeal, I was simply
signing and sealing my confession; in short, I had reached the end of my
powers.

"Have you any objection to my putting my hands in my