A sudden look of surprised dismay spread itself across Bugg's square-jawed face. 

 "Meanin' I got the chuck, sir?" he inquired dully. 

 Tony laughed.  "Of course not," he said.  "Don't be an ass, Bugg. I was only pointing out to you that if you like to set up on your own you can afford to do it. I'll go on backing you as long as you want me to, but you needn't feel bound to stop on here if you'd rather clear out. It's not much of a job for a budding champion of England with fifteen hundred pounds in the bank." 

 Bugg gave an audible sigh of relief. 

 "I thought you was 'andin' me the bird, sir," he observed.  "Give me a proper turn it did, jest for the minit." 

 "Then you don't want to go?" 

 Bugg laughed, almost contemptuously. 

 "Where'd I go to, sir?" he demanded.  "'Ow long would that fifteen 'undred last if I was knockin' arahnd on me own with every flash cove in London 'avin' a cut at it?  'Sides, that, sir, I don't want nothin' different. I wouldn't change the job I got, not to be King of England. If it weren't for you I'd be 'awkin' welks now, or fightin' in a booth, an' Tiger Bugg ain't the sort to forget a thing like that. Wen you don't want me no more, sir, jest you tip me the orfice straight and proper and I'll 'op it, but so long as there's any bloomin' thing I can do for you, sir, well, 'ere I am and 'ere I means to stop." 

 It was the longest speech that Tiger Bugg had ever indulged in, and certainly the most eloquent. Tony, who was genuinely touched by the obvious sincerity with which it was uttered, stepped forward and patted the lad on his shoulder. 

 "That's all right, Tiger," he said.  "There will always be a job for you here if it's only to annoy my relations."  He paused and lighted himself another cigarette.  "Give us a bit of your best to-night," he added.  "I should like to make Da Freitas look silly, and if you win easily, Donaldson has practically promised me a match for the Lonsdale Belt." 

 Bugg's eyes gleamed, and his hands automatically clenched themselves. 

 "I'll slip one over the fust chance I get, sir," he observed earnestly.  "I don't think I'll 'ave to wait long either." 

 Tony nodded, and gathering up his dressing-gown, turned towards 

 Prev. P 14/265 next