d.

But rapid as was the action, Nero saw an opportunity in it whereof he
took advantage, for he pounced upon the well-bitten tart, and bore it
away in triumph.

This episode, however, was soon forgotten, and Mole began to relate
adventures of himself which would have done credit to Baron Munchausen,
while Figgins, not to be outdone, told wonderful stories of high life
in which he had been personally engaged.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

OF THE DEADLY QUARREL AND MORTAL COMBAT BETWEEN MOLE AND FIGGINS.

"One day," began Mr. Figgins, after a pause, "I was driving along
Belgravia Crescent with Lord--bless me! which of 'em was it?"

"Perhaps it was Lord Elpus," suggested Harkaway.

"Or Lord Nozoo?" said Girdwood.

"Are you sure he was a lord at all, Mr. Figgins?" asked Mole,
dubiously.

"Mr. Mole," said the orphan, indignantly; "do you doubt my veracity?"

"Not a bit," answered the schoolmaster, "but I doubt the _voracity_ of
your hearers being sufficient for them to _swallow_ all you are telling
us."

"Well, gentlemen," pursued Figgins, turning from Mole in disgust, "this
Lord Whatshisname used to have behind his carriage about the nicest
little tiger that ever was seen----"

"Nothing like the tiger I saw in Bengal one day, I'm sure," broke in
Mr. Mole, in a loud and positive tone. "Come, Figgins, I'll bet you ten
to one on it."

The orphan rose to his feet in great indignation.

"Isaac Mole, Esq., I have borne patiently with injuries almost too
great for mortal man throughout this day. I consider myself insulted by
you, and I will have satisfaction."

"Well, old boy, if you just mention what will satisfy you, I'll see,"
said Mole.

"Nothing short of a full and complete apology."

"You don't get that out of me," the schoolmaster scornfully retorted.
"Preposterous. What I, Isaac Mole, who took the degree of B. A. at the
almost infantine age of thirty-four, to apologise to one who is----"

"Who is what, sir?" demanded Figgins.

"Never mind. I don't want to use unbecoming expressions," said Mole.
"You wouldn't like to hear what I was going to say."

The orphan was so angry at this that, unheeding what he was doing, he
drank off nearly a tumblerful of strong sherry at once.

This, coming on the top of other libations, made the whole scene dance
before his bewildered eyes.

He began to see two Moles, and shook his fist, as he thought, upon both
of them at once.

"I d--don't care for either of you,"