"Plain as a pikestaff. She would approve of it, or any plan of yours. I should judge she's that kind of a person. She thinks her daughter born for the English aristocracy and millions. Then I'm to understand that the ladies gave you no reason for believing me the man--to take this on?" "They went into no details. Miss Marks may have led them----" "We can drop the subject. All I wanted to know is what they said, not what they thought. Well, a million dollars is quite a wad! And every man has his price. I'd do a lot for a million. But in this case----" "Yes?" "I ask you to raise your bid if you wish to buy yours truly." "Oh, if it's a question of a few thousands----" "It isn't. I'll take the rest of the payment in another medium. Not money. And I want it in advance." "What d'you want?" "You're a boxer, I believe?" "Not bad." "Heavy-weight, of course!" "Yes." "So am I. Jim Jackson trained me, and taught me most of what I know." "Ah! I've heard of him." "Most men have." "What are you leading up to?" "My advance payment for the job. I take it on only upon that one condition." "I don't fully understand." "Well, as I just said, a million's quite a wad, and I, like every man, have my price. Also, I've my pride. Now, you don't know the reasons I may have for deciding to pocket that pride at the same time with your millions. Take it that they're mercenary. What does it matter to you? But even a gilded pill slips down easier in jam. The jam I want is a round or two with you, man to man, no gloves. Now d'you understand?" "You want to fight me?" "A little round, I said. We ought to be pretty evenly matched." "It seems to me a very childish idea," said Severance. "May be it is. But it's my idea. And those are my terms. Refuse or accept." Severance fingered his moustache in the way he had. "When do you want to do this damned fool thing, and in what circumstances?" he hedged. "Now. Circumstances those of the present minute. We can take off our coats. I suppose you don't wear corsets?" Severance deigned no answer to this taunt. He thought hard for an instant. He was a good boxer, and had been complimented before the war by Carpentier himself. Garth was unlikely to be his equal. If the ass wanted to work off steam and save his beastly face this silly way, let him! "If I consent to fight, you consent to--er----" "Yes, whether you or I get the best of this." "Done, then!" They tore off their coats, collars, neckties, and waist-coats. Garth had a sullen, ugly grin on his face as he pushed back the table and cleared the room. Severance did not know what to make of the man, but had confidence in himself. * * * * * Two hours later the telephone-bell rang in Mrs. Sorel's room. She was putting on hat and coat to go to the theatre with Marise, but she ran to take up the receiver.