"I have as much right to use this tavern as any one of the misled men who spend their hard earnings here and neglect their homes and families for the sake of drink.

And as you do not close till half-past ten, it is not too late for me to enter." During this little altercation, the party round the table in the common room sat listening intently.

Then Dubble, rousing himself from a pleasant ale-warm lethargy, broke the spell.
"Dorned if it aint old Arbroath!" he said.
"Ay, ay, 'tis old Arbroath zartin zure!" responded "Feathery" Joltram placidly.

"Let 'un coom in! Let 'un coom in!" Tom o' the Gleam gave vent to a loud laugh, and throwing himself back in his chair, crossed his long legs and administered a ferocious twirl to his moustache, humming carelessly under his breath:-- "'And they called the parson to marry them, But devil a bit would he-- For they were but a pair of dandy prats As couldn't pay devil's fee!'" Helmsley's curiosity was excited.

There was a marked stir of expectation among the guests of the "Trusty Man"; they all appeared to be waiting for something about to happen of exceptional interest.