ust now; can do what he pleases
with the Ministry."

"So much the better for him," said Grog, bluntly.

"And for his friends, sir," added Beecher. "He has only to send in a
name, and he's sure to get what he asks for, at home or abroad."

"How convenient!" said Grog; and whether it was an accident or not, he
directed his eyes full on Beecher as he spoke, and as suddenly a deep
blush spread over the other's face. "Very convenient, indeed," went on
Grog, while his unrelenting glance never wavered nor turned away. As
he stared, so did Beecher's confusion increase, till at last, unable
to endure more, he turned away, sick at heart "My Lord Viscount,"
said Grog, gravely, "let me give you a word of counsel: never commit a
murder; for if you do, your own fears will hang you."

"I don't understand you," faltered out Beecher.

"Yes, you do; and right well too," broke in Grog, boldly. "What
rubbish have you got into your head now, about 'a place' for me? What
nonsensical scheme about making me an inspector of this or a collector
of that? Do you imagine that for any paltry seven or eight hundred a
year I 'm going to enter into recognizance not to do what's worth six
times the amount? Mayhap you 'd like to send me to India or to China.
Oh, that's the dodge, is it?" exclaimed he, as the crimson flush now
extended over Beecher's forehead to the very roots of his hair. "Well,
where is it to be? There 's a place called Bogota, where they always
have yellow fever; couldn't you get me named consul there? Oh dear, oh
dear!" laughed he out, "how you _will_ go on playing that little game,
though you never score a point!"

"I sometimes imagine that you don't know how offensive your language
is," said Beecher, whose angry indignation had mastered all his fears;
"at least, it is the only explanation I can suggest for your conduct
towards myself!"

"Look at it this way," said Grog; "if you always lost the game whenever
you played against one particular man, wouldn't you give in at last, and
own him for your master? Well, now, that is exactly what you are doing
with me,--losing, losing on, and yet you won't see that you're beaten."

"I'll tell you what I see, sir," said Beecher, haughtily,--"that our
intercourse must cease."

Was it not strange that this coarse man, reckless in action, headstrong
and violent, felt abashed, for the instant, in presence of the dignified
manner which, for a passing moment, the other displayed. It was the