“After all, Kit, these things, in ninety-nine cases out of the hundred, are only snaps of the percussion-cap. There 's scarcely a peerage in England is not menaced with an attempt of the kind; but such is the intermarriage--such the close tie of affinity between them--they stand manfully to the fellow in possession. They know in their hearts, if once they let the world begin to pick out a stone here or there, the whole wall may come tumbling down, and so they say, 'Here 's one of us since Henry II.'s time going to be displaced for some upstart fellow none of us ever heard of.' What signifies legitimacy that dates seven centuries back, in favor of one probably a shoemaker or a house-painter? They won't stand that, Kit, and reasonably enough, too. I suppose you've heard all about this case from Beecher?” “Well, I _have_ heard something about it,” said Grog, in confusion, for the suddenness of the question disconcerted him; “but _he_ don't care about it.” “Very likely not. If Lackington were to have a son, it would n't concern him much.” “Not alone that, but he does n't attach any importance to the claim; he says it's all got up to extort money.” “What of that? When a highwayman stops you with the same errand, does n't the refusal occasionally provoke him to use force? I know very few things so hard to deal with as menaces to extort money. Life is, after all, very like the game the Americans call 'Poker,' where the grand secret is, never to 'brag' too far on a bad hand. What was _your_ part in this business, Kit?” asked he, after a brief silence. “How do you mean by _my_ part?” rejoined Davis, gruffly. “I mean, how were you interested? Do you hold any of Lackington's paper?--have you got any claims on the reversion?--in a word, does it in any way concern you which king reigns in Israel?” “It might, or it might not,” said Grog, dryly. “Now for a question to _you_. Could you manage to get employed in the affair,--to be sent out after this Conway,--or is it too late?” “It might, or it might not,” said Classon, with a significant imitation of the other's tone and manner. Davis understood the sarcasm in a moment, and in a voice of some irritation said,-- “Don't you try to come the whip-hand over me, Holy Paul. If there be anything to do in this matter, it is I, and not _you_, will be paymaster; so much for this, so much for that,--there's the terms!” “It is such dealings I like best,” said Classon, blandly “Men would have benefited largely in this world had probity been parcelled out as task-work instead of being made daily labor.”