thinking of the argument most likely to tell upon him.

"'What's the difference,' answers he, 'between Portland and the ordinary
labouring man's life, except that at Portland you never need fear being
out of work?' He was a rare one to argue. 'Besides,' says he, 'it's
only the fools as gets copped. Look at that diamond robbery in Bond
Street, two years ago. Fifty thousand pounds' worth of jewels stolen,
and never a clue to this day! Look at the Dublin Bank robbery,' says he,
his eyes all alight, and his face flushed like a girl's. 'Three thousand
pounds in golden sovereigns walked away with in broad daylight, and never
so much as the flick of a coat-tail seen. Those are the sort of men I'm
thinking of, not the bricklayer out of work, who smashes a window and
gets ten years for breaking open a cheesemonger's till with nine and
fourpence ha'penny in it.'

"'Yes,' says I, 'and are you forgetting the chap who was nabbed at
Birmingham only last week? He wasn't exactly an amatoor. How long do
think he'll get?'

"'A man like that deserves what he gets,' answers he; 'couldn't hit a
police-man at six yards.'

"'You bloodthirsty young scoundrel,' I says; 'do you mean you wouldn't
stick at murder?'

"'It's all in the game,' says he, not in the least put out. 'I take my
risks, he takes his. It's no more murder than soldiering is.'

"'It's taking a human creature's life,' I says.