they fled the Fist, maybe more, but some had wandered off
"And I should give you a crack in the jaw," returned Polyte angrily.
Forgetting his fine dress, Toto playfully put his thumb to his nose and extended his fingers.
"You would not be such an ass," said he. "You would say to yourself, 'If I punch this chap, he will kick up no end of a row, and I shall be taken up, and perhaps sent to the mill.' No; you would be beastly civil, and would end by doing just as I wished."
"And this is what you call your business, is it?"
"Isn't it a good one--the mugs stand the racket, and the downy cards profit by it?"
But there is no novelty in this; it is only blackmail after all."
"I never said it wasn't; but it is blackmailing perfected into a system."
As Toto made this reply he hammered on the table, calling for more drink.