"I hereby pledge myself--er--er--that in the event of any disclosure by me--er--of confidential communications from Colonel Starbottle to me, I shall hold myself ready to afford him the usual honourable satisfaction--er--common among gentlemen, at such times or places, and with such weapons as he may choose, without further formality of challenge, and that--er--er--failing in that I do thereby proclaim myself, without posting, a liar, poltroon, and dastard." In the full pre-occupation of his dignified composition, and possibly from an inability to look down over the increased exaggeration of his swelling breast, Colonel Starbottle did not observe the contemptuous smile which curled the lip of his amanuensis. Howbeit Mr. Dumphy signed the document and handed it to him. Colonel Starbottle put it in his pocket. Nevertheless he lingered by Mr. Dumphy's side. "The--er--er--cheque," said the Colonel, with a slight cough, "had better be to your order, endorsed by you--to spare any criticism hereafter." Mr. Dumphy hesitated a moment. He would have preferred as a matter of business to have first known the contents of the envelope, but with a slight smile he dashed off the cheque and handed it to the Colonel. "If--er--it would not be too much trouble," said the Colonel, jauntily, "for the same reason just mentioned, would you give that--er--piece of paper to one of your clerks to draw the money for me?" Mr. Dumphy impatiently, with his eyes on the envelope, rang his bell and handed the cheque to the clerk, while Colonel Starbottle, with an air of abstraction, walked discreetly to the window.