heck for the present, then stand by for ugly times.

I hate the revolver, but I am glad that I took to carrying one in time.
Jerry and I grew so intimate, and I saw so much of his inner mind, that
I judged it better to make no midnight excursions in his company without
being ready for accidents. He is most humorous when he has wine in him,
and his humour is a shade too grim for my taste.

We came home lately in a cab, after seeing a pretty little light-weight
from Birmingham receive a severe dressing at the hands of a pocket
Hercules from Bethnal Green. Jerry was in wild spirits, and his usual
charming smile had broadened into a grin. Nothing would suit him but
that I should go to his rooms.

"My aunt keeps house for me, and she's sure to be up, and my sister's
there as well."

The notion of Jerry's dwelling calmly with his aunt and his sister was
very touching, and my curiosity was roused. The aunt turned out to be a
placid woman with a low voice; the sister was too florid and loud for my
fancy. We played at whist, and in the intervals between the games we
tested Jerry's wine. He has a singularly good selection. The florid
nymph was reserved and coy at first, but as the wine mounted she rather
astonished me by her choice of expletives. The merry one had become
business-like, and that sweet smile was gone. As I looked at him I
gradually understood that I had once more made a fool of myself, and I
vowed that if I got out safely I would go to The Chequers no more.
Over-confidence is a bad fault in a prize-fighter: it is worse than that
in the case of a man who wishes to hold his own among London sharps.
Blackey had the best of me, and now I was in for a much worse business,
Jerry the Amiable drank ostentatiously, and he was evidently priming
himself; the sister waxed effusive, and the aunt took care that the
points were steadily increased. In the early morning the Amiable
suggested that I should stay, but I would not have slept under the same
roof with him for gold. He then ordered his relatives off to bed, and
they slunk away rather like dogs than ladies. Jerry was a masterful man.
When all was quiet I rose to take my hat, whereupon Jerry remarked,
"You're not going that way, are you?"

"Must go home before it's too light."

"You'll have another drink?"

"No."

"But you will!"

The Amiable was really extremely exacting.

"Thanks. Good morning."

Jerry locked the door, and put his back to it. Then he softly