"It shall be as you say, sir; I am indifferent what you call yourself."
He heaved something that sounded like a hoarse sigh, and proceeded:
"I have come to settle a small account that stands between us. Is that
document your writing?" As he said this, he drew, rather theatrically,
from his breast-pocket the letter I had just written, and extended
it towards me. "I ask, sir,--and I mean you to understand that I will
suffer no prevarication,--is that document in your writing?"

I trembled all over as I took it, and for an instant I determined to
disavow it; but in the same brief space I bethought me that my denial
would be in vain. I then tried to look boldly, and brazen it out; I
fancied to laugh it off as a mere pleasantry, and, failing in courage
for each of these, I essayed, as a last resource, the argumentative and
discussions! line, and said,--

"If you will favor me with an indulgent hearing for a few minutes,
Mr. Jopplyn, I trust to explain to your complete satisfaction the
circumstances of that epistle."

"Take five, sir,--five," said he, laying a ponderous silver watch on the
table as he spoke, and pointing to the minute-hand.

"Really, sir," said I, stung by the peremptory and dictatorial tone he
assumed, "I have yet to learn that intercourse between gentlemen is to
be regulated by clockwork, not to say that I have to inquire by what
right you ask me for this explanation."

"One minute gone," said he, solemnly.

"I don't care if there were fifty," said I, passionately. "I disclaim
all pretension of a perfect stranger to obtrude himself upon me, and by
the mere assumption of a pompous manner and an imposing air, to inquire
into my private affairs."

"There are two!" said he, with the same solemnity.

"Who is Mr. Jopplyn,--what is he to me?" cried I, in increased
excitement, "that he presents himself in my apartment like a commissary
of police? Do you imagine, sir, because I am a young man, that
this--this--impertinence "--Lord, what a gulp it cost me!--"is to pass
unpunished? Do you fancy that a red beard and a heavy walking-cane are
to strike terror into me? You may think, perhaps, that I am unarmed--"

"Three!" said he, with a bang of his stick on the floor that made me
actually jump with the stick.

"Leave the room, sir," said I; "it is my pleasure to be alone,--the
apartment is mine,--I am the proprietor here. A very little sense of
delicacy, a very small amount of good breeding, might show you,