As soon as I had thought the situation out in all its bearings, I realized that there was no escape for me now, that whatever chance to escape I might have had was closed by my uncovering to Saxe and kicking him. But I did not regret; it was worth the money it would cost me. Besides, I thought I saw how I could later on turn it to good account. A sensible man never makes fatal errors. Whatever he does is at least experience, and can also be used to advantage. If Napoleon hadn't been half dead at Waterloo, I don't doubt he would have used its disaster as a means to a greater victory. Was I downcast by the discovery that those bandits had me apparently at their mercy? Not a bit. Never in my life have I been downcast over money matters more than a few minutes. Why should I be? Why should any man be who has made himself all that he is? As long as his brain is sound, his capital is unimpaired. When I walked into Mowbray Langdon's office, I was like a thoroughbred exercising on a clear frosty morning; and my smile was as fresh as the flower in my buttonhole. I thrust out my hand at him. “I congratulate you,” said I. He took the proffered hand with a questioning look. “On what?” said he. It is hard to tell from his face what is going on in his head, but I think I guessed right when I decided that Saxe hadn't yet warned him. “I have just found out from Saxe,” I pursued, “about the Canal Bill.” “What Canal Bill?” he asked. “That puzzled look was a mistake, Langdon,” said I, laughing at him. “When you don't know anything about a matter, you look merely blank. You overdid it; you've given yourself away.” He shrugged his shoulders. “As you please,” said he. As you please was his favorite expression; a stereotyped irony, for in dealing with him, things were never as _you_ pleased, but always as _he_ pleased. “Next time you want to dig a mine under anybody,” I went on, “don't hire Saxe. Really I feel sorry for you--to have such a clever scheme messed by such an ass.” “If you don't mind, I'd like to know what you're talking about,” said he, with his patient, bored look. “As you and Roebuck own the governor, I know your little law ends my little canal.” “Still I don't know what you're talking about,” drawled he. “You are always suspecting everybody of double-dealing. I gather that this is another instance of your infirmity. Really, Blacklock, the world isn't wholly made up of scoundrels.” “I know that,” said I. “And I will even admit that its scoundrels are seldom made up wholly of scoundrelism. Even Roebuck would rather do the decent thing, if he can do it without endangering his personal interests. As for you--I regard you as one of the decentest men I ever knew--outside of business. And even there, I believe you'd keep your word, as long as the other fellow kept his.” “Thank you,” said he, bowing ironically. “This flattery makes me suspect you've come to get something.”