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'Well, you see, said Polson, 'I'd got to give you the chance to do it. 'Had you? said Major de Blacquaire. The one man was leaning on his crutches, and the other was stooping on his crutch walking-stick, and there was nobody near so far as either of them could see. 'I don't know, said De Blacquaire, in a drooping voice.
The General yielded, the wine was served, De Blacquaire at the Colonel's command emptied his glass and withdrew, leaving the old friends together. The General seized the moment to speak a word for Polson. He told the lad's story, and the Colonel nodded his white head with curt approval. 'Is he a smart fellow? he asked. 'Highly intelligent, the General answered.
'I shall not venture, said De Blacquaire, 'to dispute a point of personal honour with General Boswell; but I venture to suggest that the better course would be for us, as the injured parties, to join forces against Messrs. Jervase & Jervoyce, and discuss the partition of the spoils when we have secured them.
Grand rounds came tramping down the trench and the men about the fire rose up and stood to attention. 'What is this? asked De Blacquaire. 'Who's in charge here? 'I am, sir, Polson answered, saluting. 'What's the meaning of this blaze here? Can't you see that you're drawing the enemy's fire? Report yourself to me at noon to-morrow. Scatter that stuff, and trample it out.
'Suppose, sir, said De Blacquaire, 'that we submit this matter to an independent and high-minded arbiter. You know Colonel Stacey? He is in quarters at this moment, I believe, and I am sure he would give his judgment between us willingly, I feel so confident of his verdict that perhaps it's hardly fair on my part to suggest the appeal to him.
This was destined to be a day of strange encounters, for who should walk almost into his arms but that Major de Blacquaire who was the present owner of the Droitwich salt mine from which his father and his uncle had drawn an illicit fortune.
Praise from Mr. De Blacquaire is worth having, let me tell you, Fuller. Mr. De Blacquaire is himself a distinguished musician. Ah! my old friend Eld! How do you do? how do you do?" This greeting was addressed to Sennacherib, who had arisen on the earl's arrival, had deliberately turned his back, and was now engaged in turning over the leaves of music which lay on the table before him.
'And there's no vendetta? said the General, smiling. 'Vendetta? said De Blacquaire. 'You can hardly have a vendetta with a man who has saved your life, even though the beggar did it for no other reason than to show how much he despised you. I was wrong about the lad, General; he's a very fine fellow. 'I could have told you that much long ago, said the General.
The man beside him lay with pallid face and big bird-like eyes, staring at the smoked semi-circle on the ceiling, and after the inquiry he had offered and the answer given, there was silence again, whilst a man might have counted twenty. 'They've told me all about it, said Major de Blacquaire, 'and I don't understand it. And I want to understand.
Now Major de Blacquaire had made a very excellent impression on the elder warrior, who thought that he had behaved honourably and with delicacy in respect to the unfortunate business which had brought them together; but he undid that impression most conclusively. 'Should you call, he asked in his most deliberate and supercilious drawl, 'should you call Mr. Polson a gentleman, sir?
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