"Poh, poh," said Tom, "don't take on so, man--forget and
forgive--luck's been on his side, that's all."

"I tell you what," said Basset, "who do you think struck me the other
night?"

"Why, what could it be but Lanfear's ghost?"

"Don't talk to me about sperits; whose afraid o' them? But tell us one
thing, did you see Holden when you looked into the window!"

"What makes you ask?" said the cautious Tom, "supposing I did, or
supposing I didn't?"

"'Cause I know you didn't. Now it's my opinion," said Basset, lowering
his voice and looking round suspiciously as if he were afraid of an
action for slander should he be overheard, "that Holden himself made
the assault."

"That ain't possible," said Gladding, confidently. "You and Prime
stood by the door and would ha' seen him if he'd come out there, and I
know he didn't jump out o' the window, for I should ha' seen him."

"But, perhaps he wasn't in the house at all," persisted Basset;
"it was plaguy dark, and perhaps he heard us coming and hid himself
outside on purpose to play the trick and take an unfair advantage on
us."

"You'll never make me believe that story," said Gladding, shaking his
head. "I'd as soon believe it was me as the old man. Prime and me are