Suppose I relate it to you"-- he paused, and laid a peculiar emphasis on what followed--"_over a game of billiards_." "What the devil do you mean ?" answered Throgton.
"Let me come round to your house and tell the story.

There are points in it that I can best illustrate over a billiard table.

Suppose I challenge you to a fifty point game before I tell my story." It required no little hardihood to challenge Masterman Throgton at billiards.

His reputation at his club as a cool, determined player was surpassed by few.

Throgton had been known to run nine, ten, and even twelve at a break.