I'll trouble you to drop the Ratman." The captain laughed unpleasantly.
"As you like," said he.
"Now to business.

Of course, you're ready to make good these little bills," and he pulled four or five blue slips from his pocket.
"No, I'm not.

You may as well know it at once." "Hum! What do you propose, then?
Do you know there's a writ out ?" "I propose nothing.

I want to know what you propose." The two men regarded one another in silence; one insolent and sneering, the other desperate and scowling.
"What do I propose ?" said Ratman, puffing away cheerfully.

"Scarcely anything--only to make a little communication to the War Office, give a few instructions to the Sheriff, write a paragraph or two to the county papers, and tell a few interesting anecdotes to your charming daughters." Captain Oliphant started to his feet with a smothered exclamation.
"Not the last, Ratman! I'm in your clutches; but for Heaven's sake don't bring them into it!" Ratman laughed.
"You _will_ insist on forgetting my name, my dear fellow.