"For all that, I should like to know the name of the person referred to." "You surely do not mean, Bickers, that you attach any importance to a ridiculous joke like that ?" "I attach just the importance it deserves, Railsford." "Then I would put it in the fire, Bickers." Mr Bickers's face darkened.

Long ere now he had calculated on reducing the citadel of his adversary's good-humour, and now that it still held out, he felt his own self-possession deserting him.
"Allow me to tell you, Railsford, that I believe what that letter states!" "Do you really?
I hope when I tell you that every word of it which relates to myself is a grotesque falsehood, you will alter your opinion." "Even that would not convince me," said Bickers.
Railsford stared at him blankly.

He had surely misunderstood his words.
"I said," he repeated, and there was a tremor of excitement in his voice, which afforded his enemy the keenest pleasure--"I said that every word in that letter which refers to me is false.

You surely don't believe it after that ?" "I said," repeated Mr Bickers, with a fine sneer, "that even that would not convince me." Surely the longed-for explosion would come now! He saw Railsford's face flush and his eyes flash.

But before the furious retort escaped from his lips, a wise whisper from somewhere fell between them and robbed the wolf of his prey.
"Then," said the Master of the Shell, forcing his lips to a smile, "there is not much to be gained by prolonging this interview, is there ?" Mr Bickers was deeply mortified.