I've got the finest tea-table story that ever you heard!" He started and cried: "You're safe!" and wrung my hand.

But a moment later he added: "And what the devil are you laughing at ?" "Four gentlemen round a tea-table," said I, laughing still, for it had been uncommonly ludicrous to see the formidable three altogether routed and scattered with no more deadly weapon than an ordinary tea-table.
Moreover, you will observe that I had honourably kept my word, and not fired till they did..