In any case the transaction was altogether a speculative one; and George Sheldon's money was hazarded as completely as if it had been put upon an outsider for the Derby.
Before bidding him a polite farewell, I was determined to make Mr.
Goodge thoroughly aware that he had not taken me in.
"You said there were more than forty letters," I told him; "I remember the phrase 'forty-odd,' which is a colloquialism one would scarcely look for in Tillotson or in John Wesley, who cherished a prejudice in favour of scholarship which does not distinguish all his followers.

You said there were forty-odd letters, and you have removed some of them from the packet.

I am quite aware that I have no legal remedy against you, as our contract was a verbal one, made without witnesses; so I must be content with what I get; but I do not wish you to flatter yourself with the notion that you have hoodwinked a lawyer's clerk.

You are not clever enough to do that, Mr.Goodge, though you are knave enough to cheat every attorney in the Law List." "Young man, are you aware---- ?" "As I have suffered by the absence of any witness to our negotiation, I may as well profit by the absence of any witness to our interview.

You are a cheat and a trickster, Mr.Goodge, and I have the honour to wish you good afternoon!" "Go forth, young man!" cried the infuriated Jonah whose fat round face became beet-root colour with rage, and who involuntarily extended his hand to the poker--for the purpose of defence and not defiance, I believe.