"The only devil of it is, a fellow can never find a secret in a place like the South Seas: only in London and Paris." "M'Gibbon's been reading some dime-novel, I suppose," said one club man.
"He's been reading _Aurora Floyd_," remarked another.
"And what if I have ?" cried M'Gibbon.

"It's all true.

Look at the newspapers! It's just your confounded ignorance that sets you snickering.

I tell you, it's as much a trade as underwriting, and a dashed sight more honest." The sudden acrimony of these remarks called Loudon (who was a man of peace) from his reserve.

"It's rather singular," said he, "but I seem to have practised about all these means of livelihood." "Tit you effer vind a nokket ?" inquired the inarticulate German, eagerly.
"No.