ooms with some tale
about a mad dog starvin' to death in his shrubberies--he didn't know
where--"

"If you don't mind," Mr. Jope interposed, "I've a notion to hear the
rest o' the story some other evenin'. It's--it's agreeable enough to
bear spinnin' out, an' I understand you're a fixture in this
neighbourhood."

"Certainly," said Mr. Coyne, rising. "But wot about _you_?"

"I'll tell you to-morrow."

Mr. Jope gripped the arms of his chair, having uttered the bravest
speech of his life. He sat for a while, the sound of his own voice
echoing strangely in his ears, even when Mr. Coyne rose to take his
leave.

"Well, I can't help admirin' you," said Mr. Coyne handsomely.
"By the way the rent's by the quarter, an' in advance--fours into
forty is ten; I mention it as a matter of business, and in case we
don't meet again."

Mr. Jope counted out the money.

When Mr. Coyne had taken his departure the pair sat a long while in
silence, their solitary candle flickering an the table between them.

"You spoke out very bold," said Mr. Adams at length.

"Did I?" said Mr. Jope. "I didn't feel it."

"What cuts me to the quick is the thought o' them adders outside."

"Ye dolt! There ain't no real adders outside. They're what the chap
invented to frighten the women."

"Sure? Then," mused Mr. Adams, after a pause, "maybe there ain't no
real ghosts neither, but he invented the whole thing."

"Maybe. What d'ye say to steppin' down an' fetchin' up another
mugful o' liquor?"

"I say," answered Mr. Adams slowly, "as how I won't."

"Toss for it," suggested Mr. Jope. "You refuse? Very well, then, I
must go. Only I thought better of ye, Bill--I did indeed."

"I can't help what ye thought," Mr. Adams began sulkily; and then, as
his friend rose with the face of a man who goes to meet the worst, he
sprang up quaking. "Lord's sake, Ben Jope! You ain't a-goin' to take
the candle an' leave me!"

"Bill Adams," said Mr. Jope with fine solemnity, "if I was to put a
name on your besettin' sin, it would be cowardice--an' you can just
sit here in the dark an' think it over."

"When I was on the p'int of offering to go with ye!"

"Ho! Was you? Very well, then, I accept the offer, an' you can walk
first."

"But I don't see--"

"Another word," announced Mr. Jope firmly, "an' you won't! _For I'll
blow out the candle_."

Mr. Adams surrendered, and tottered to the door. They passed out,
and through the vaulted kitchen,