which successfully defies common decency and common-law from one end of
the country to the other, was not to be trifled with.

"Come on!" cried Geoffrey. "Back the doctor, one of you!"

Sir Patrick rose in undisguised disgust, and followed the surgeon. One,
Two, and Three, invited to business by their illustrious friend, shook
their thick heads at him knowingly, and answered with one accord, in one
eloquent word--"Gammon!"

"One of _you_ back him!" persisted Geoffrey, appealing to the two choral
gentlemen in the back-ground, with his temper fast rising to fever heat.
The two choral gentlemen compared notes, as usual. "We weren't born
yesterday, Smith?" "Not if we know it, Jones."

"Smith!" said Geoffrey, with a sudden assumption of politeness ominous
of something unpleasant to come.

Smith said "Yes?"--with a smile.

"Jones!"

Jones said "Yes?"--with a reflection of Smith.

"You're a couple of infernal cads--and you haven't got a hundred pound
between you!"

"Come! come!" said Arnold, interfering for the first time. "This is
shameful, Geoffrey!"