We could--I could--could I not, do you not think ?--step between you as a peacemaker.

Mr.Tinman is always very courteous to me." At these words of Annette's, Van Diemen burst into a short snap of savage laughter.

"But that's far away in the background, Mr.Mart Tinman!" he said.

"You stick to your game, I know that; but you'll find me flown, though I leave a name to stink like your common behind me.

And," he added, as a chill reminder, "that name the name of my benefactor.