There were some more bids, and then I knew that Maskew was saying 91, and saw the head of the pin was lower; the hard lump of tallow in Aunt Jane’s candle was thawing.  The bailiff struck in:  ’Are ye mad, sirs, and you, Master Block, save your breath, and spare your money; and if this worshipful gentleman must become innkeeper at any price, let him have the place in the Devil’s name, and I will give thee the Mermaid, at Bridport, with a snug parlour, and ten times the trade of this.’

Elzevir seemed not to hear what he said, but only called out 100, with his face still looking out to sea, and the same sturdiness in his voice.  Then Maskew tried a spring, and went to 120, and Elzevir capped him with 130, and 140, 150, 160, 170 followed quick.  My breath came so fast that I was almost giddy, and I had to clench my hands to remind myself of where I was, and what was going on.  The bidders too were breathing hard, Elzevir had taken his head from his hands, and the eyes of all were on the pin.  The lump of tallow was worn down now; it was hard to say why the pin did not fall.  Maskew gulped out 180, and Elzevir said 190, and then the pin gave a lurch, and I thought the Why Not? was saved, though at the price of ruin.  No; the pin had not fallen, there was a film that held it by the point, one second, only one second.  Elzevir’s breath, which was ready to outbid whatever Maskew said, caught in his throat with the catching pin, and Maskew sighed out 200, before the pin pattered on the bottom of the brass candlestick.

The clerk forgot his master’s presence and shut his notebook with a bang, ‘Congratulate you, sir,’ says he, quite pert to Maskew; ’you are the landlord of the poorest pothouse in the Duchy at 200 a year.’

The bailiff paid no heed to what his man did, but took his periwig off and wiped his head.  ‘Well, I’m hanged,’ he said; and so the Why Not? was lost.

Just as the last bid was given, Elzevir half-rose from his chair, and for a moment I expected to see him spring like a wild beast on Maskew; but he said nothing, and sat down again with the same stolid look on his face.  And, indeed, it was perhaps well that he thus thought better of it, for Maskew stuck his hand into his bosom as the other rose; and though he withdrew it again when Elzevir got back to his chair, yet the front of his waistcoat was a little bulged, and, looking sideways, I saw the silver-shod butt of a pistol nestling far down against his white shirt.  The bailiff was vexed, I think, that he had been betrayed into such strong words; for he tried at once to put on as indifferent an air as might be, saying in dry tones, ’Well, gentlemen, there seems to be here some personal matter into which I shall not attempt to spy.  Two hundred pounds more or less is but a flea-bite to the Duchy; and if you, sir,’ turning to Maskew, ’wish later on to change your mind, and be quit of the bargain, I shall not be the man to stand in your way.  In any case, I imagine ’twill be time enough to seal the lease if I send it from London.’