Its place was a sense of relief. This was what he needed.

There were six of them moving in on him in a pack.

Six was a fairly well-rounded number. One of them had a bottle in his

hand and Sean started to smile. They were talking loudly, spreading

courage and waiting for one of their fellows to start it.

Sean saw movement out of the side of his eye and jumped back to cover it

with his hands ready. Steady on there, a very English voice soothed

him. I have come to offer my services. It seems to me you have

adversaries and to spare. The speaker had stood up from one of the

tables behind Sean. He was tall, with a gauntly ravage d face and an

immaculate grey suit.

I want them all, said Sean.

Damned unsporting. The newcomer shook his head.

I'll buy the three gentlemen on the left if your price is reasonable.

Take two as a gift and consider yourself lucky. Sean grinned at him and

the man grinned back. They had almost forgotten the impending action in

the pleasure of meeting'Very decent of you. May I introduce myself,

Dufford Charleywood. He shifted the light cane into his left hand and

extended his right to Sean.

Sean Courtney. Sean accepted the hand. Are you bastards going to fight

or what! protested one of the miners impatiently.

rWe are, dear boy, we are, said Duff and moved lightly as a dancer

towards him, swinging the cane. Thin as it was it made a noise like a

well-hit baseball along the man's head.

Then there were five, said Duff. He flicked the cane and, weighted with

lead, it made a most satisfactory swish. Like a swordsman he lunged

Into the throat of the second miner. The man lay on the floor and made

a strangling noise.

,The rest are yours, Mr Courtney, said Duff regretfully.

Sean dived in low, spreading his arms to scoop up all n the pile of

bodies four pairs of legs at once. He sat up i and started punching and

kicking.

Messy, very messy, murmured Duff disapprovingly.

The yelps and thuds gradually petered into silence and Sean stood up.

His lip was bleeding and the lapel was torn off his jacket.

Drink? asked Duff.

Brandy, please. Sean smiled at the elegant figure against the bar. I

won't refuse another drink this evening. They took the glasses to

Duff's table, stepping over the bodies as they went.

Mud in your eye!

Down the old red lane!

Then they studied each other with frank interest, ignoring the clearing

up operations being conducted around them.

,You are travelling? asked Duff.

Yes, are you? No such luck. I am in the permanent employ of Dundee

Collieries Ltd. You work here! Sean looked incredulous for Duff was a

peacock among pigeons.

Assistant Engineer, nodded Duff. But not for long; the taste of

coal-dust sticks in my craw. May I suggest something to wash it outV

A splendid idea, agreed Duff.

Sean brought the drinks to the table.

Where are you headed? asked Duff.

I was facing north when I started, shrugged Sean, I just kept going that

way. Where did you start from? South. Sean answered abruptly.

Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. Duff smiled. Yours is brandy, isn't it?

The Barman came round from behind the counter and crossed to their

table.

Hello, Charlie, Duff greeted him. I take it you require compensation

for the damage to your fittings and furniture?

Don't worry about it, Mr Charleywood. Not often we have a good barney

like that. We don't mind the odd table and chair as long as it's worth

watching. Have it on the house. That's extremely good of you. That's

not what I came across for, Mr Charleywood.