A puff of wind extinguished the second match almost immediately, and after a moment or two in which the lawyer continued to advance, a third match was struck; at the same instant the man must have heard the sound of Langham's approach, for as he brought the blazing match to the bowl of a short black pipe, he turned, standing erect, and Langham caught sight of his face.

It was Joe Montgomery.

Another playful gust found Mr.Montgomery's match and the two men stood facing each other in the darkness.
Langham had been about to speak but the words died on his lips; a wave of horror passed over him.

He had known not quite ten minutes of security and now it was at an end; his terror all revived; this hulking brute who faced him there in the darkness menaced his safety, a few drinks might give him courage to go to Moxlow or to the general with his confession.

How was he to deal with the situation?
"There ain't much Irish about me!" said Montgomery, with a casual oath.
There was a moment of silence.