"Who ye ringin' in on me?" he inquired.

"This is a friend of mine," said Gerald severely.

"Beg your pardon. The gentleman is well put up. How much
experience has he had?"

"Ever box much?" Gerald asked Orde.

"Box?" Orde laughed. "Never had time for that sort of thing. Had
the gloves on a few times."

"Where did you get your training, sir?" asked the handler.

"My training?" repeated Orde, puzzled. "Oh, I see! I was always
pretty heavy, and I suppose the work on the river keeps a man in
pretty good shape."

Gerald's languor had vanished, and a glint had appeared in his eye
that would have reminded Orde of Miss Bishop's most mischievous mood
could he have seen it.

"Put on the gloves with Murphy," he suggested, "will you? I'd like
to see you two at it."

"Surely," agreed Orde good-naturedly. "I'm not much good at it, but
I'd just as soon try." He was evidently not in the least afraid to
meet the handler, though as evidently without much confidence in his
own skill.