"Yes; and a few other things," rejoined the well-dressed man. "How
to make money, for instance.--Well, haven't you any insult ready?"

The other looked out at a row of flaring chimneys, which the train
was rushing past: he kept silence.

"Go down to Liverpool," pursued Dengate, "and make inquiries about
me. You'll find I have as good a reputation as any man living."

He laboured this point. It was evident that he seriously desired to
establish his probity and importance in the young man's eyes. Nor
did anything in his look or speech conflict with such claims. He had
hard, but not disagreeable features, and gave proof of an easy
temper.

"Paying one's debts," said Hilliard, "is fatal to reputation."

"You use words you don't understand. There's no such thing as a
debt, except what's recognised by the laws."

"I shouldn't wonder if you think of going into Parliament. You are
just the man to make laws."

"Well, who knows? What I want you to understand is, that if your
father were alive at this moment, I shouldn't admit that he had
claim upon me for one penny."

"It was because I understood it already that I called you a
scoundrel."