in contradiction to ordinary laws, expressed imbecility rather than
intellect, it was impossible to associate great cunning and shrewdness
with such a physiognomy. Every line, at that moment, expressed pain and
exasperation. But Gilbert felt bound to go a step further.

"Barton," he said, "didn't you know who Fortune was, on that day?"

"N-no--no! On that _day_--NO! Blast me if I did!"

"Not before you left him?"

"Well, I'll admit that a suspicion of it came to me at the very last
moment--too late to be of any use. But come, damme! that's all over, and
what's the good o' talking? _You_ tried your best to catch the fellow,
too, but he was too much for you! 'T isn't such an easy job, eh?"

This sort of swagger was Alfred Barton's only refuge, when he was driven
into a corner. Though some color still lingered in his face, he spread
his shoulders with a bold, almost defiant air, and met Gilbert's eye
with a steady gaze. The latter was not prepared to carry his examination
further, although he was still far from being satisfied.

"Come, come, Gilbert!" Barton presently resumed, "I mean no offence. You
showed yourself to be true blue, and you led the hunt as well as any man
could ha' done; but the very thought o' the fellow makes me mad, and
I'll know no peace till he's strung up. If I was your age, now! A man
seems to lose his spirit as he gets on in years, and I'm only sorry you
weren't made captain at the start, instead o' me. You _shall_ be, from
this time on; I won't take it again!"