mission; and should be glad if you would accompany me to your office
or library.'

A flush of scarlet came into Ham's face, and it was vivid through
the roots of his coarse black beard.

'Certainly; I shall attend to you with pleasure. I hope, at least,
that the matter is capable of an amicable and satisfactory settlement.
I have always sought to do what is right, and--

'I have no doubt Mr. Ham, that it can be arranged with entire
satisfaction.' With these words the visitor seated himself in the
chair to which Mr. Ham, with a hand that trembled, pointed.

'I am, sir, the bearer of a message from my old school friend,
Roland Gray. What the purport of such a message is you will no doubt
very readily guess, when you come to remember the language which you
recently employed respecting him, and the threat which your words
evoked. I am therefore ready to arrange the terms for a meeting with
any friend you may be good enough to designate.'

'I really fail to comprehend what you mean, Mr. Harland.'

'Oh that is impossible, Mr. Ham. There is a code of honour among
gentlemen under such circumstances, of which you must certainly be
aware.'

The fellow's courage had quite failed him, if the pallor in his
swarthy cheek did not utter a huge lie.