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"
"But, crikey, sir!" said Joe, "five dollars every time I--"
"Yus, yus, you bloomin' hadjective--two dollars fifty for each of us!
'Urry up, oh, 'urry up afore 'e changes 'is mind an' begins to 'edge."
So Joe follows his "Guv'nor" and the Old Un up a flight of stairs and
into a large chamber fitted as a gymnasium, where are four roped and
padded posts socketed into the floor; close by is a high-backed armchair
in which the Old Un seats himself with an air of heavy portent.
But when Joe would have ducked under the ropes, the Old Un stayed him
with an imperious gesture, and, clambering into the ring, advanced to
the centre and bowed gravely as if to a countless multitude.
"Gentlemen," he piped in his shrill old voice, "I take pleasure to
introduce Joe Madden, undefeated 'eavyweight champion o' the world, an'
the Guv--both members of this club an' both trained by me, Jack Bowser,
once lightweight champion of England an' hall the Americas. Gentlemen,
it will be a fight to a finish--Markis o' Queensberry rules.
Gentlemen--I thank ye.


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