"That is too much, Irwin. I do not care to interfere in these things,
and since you do not belong to my regiment, I can only speak to you as a
comrade, not as a superior. But I am afraid you will be in difficulties
if you lose."

Angrily the Captain fired up--

"What do you mean by that, sir? If your words are intended to express a
doubt as to my solvency--"

"Well! well--I did not mean to offend you. After all, you must know best
yourself what you are justified in doing."

Irwin repeated with a defiant air--

"Ten thousand! I am waiting for your answer, McGregor."

The adversary remained as calm as before.

"Ten thousand five hundred."

"Twenty thousand!"

"Are you drunk, Irwin?" whispered the young Lieutenant Temple into the
Captain's ear, from the other side. But he only glanced round with a
furious look.

"Not more than you. Leave me alone, if you please."