Tagrag and the rest declared I showed great pluck, and wanted me to try again; but "No," says I, "I HAVE been." THE FINISHING TOUCH.
I was always fond of billiards: and, in former days, at Grogram's in Greek Street, where a few jolly lads of my acquaintance used to meet twice a week for a game, and a snug pipe and beer, I was generally voted the first man of the club; and could take five from John the marker himself.

I had a genius, in fact, for the game; and now that I was placed in that station of life where I could cultivate my talents, I gave them full play, and improved amazingly.

I do say that I think myself as good a hand as any chap in England.
The Count and his Excellency Baron von Punter were, I can tell you, astonished by the smartness of my play: the first two or three rubbers Punter beat me, but when I came to know his game, I used to knock him all to sticks; or, at least, win six games to his four: and such was the betting upon me; his Excellency losing large sums to the Count, who knew what play was, and used to back me.

I did not play except for shillings, so my skill was of no great service to me.
One day I entered the billiard-room where these three gentlemen were high in words.

"The thing shall not be done," I heard Captain Tagrag say: "I won't stand it." "Vat, begause you would have de bird all to yourzelf, hey ?" said the Baron.
"You sall not have a single fezare of him, begar," said the Count: "ve vill blow you, M.de Taguerague; parole d'honneur, ve vill." "What's all this, gents," says I, stepping in, "about birds and feathers ?" "Oh," says Tagrag, "we were talking about--about--pigeon-shooting; the Count here says he will blow a bird all to pieces at twenty yards, and I said I wouldn't stand it, because it was regular murder." "Oh, yase, it was bidgeon-shooting," cries the Baron: "and I know no better sbort.