Bit forward. "Let us take up my first question," he said. "Have you ever
considered what you were likely to encounter if you undertook
to filch the Crown?" "Filch?" I interrupted. "Steal,
then, if you
prefer. I forgot we were to use plain terms." "Very true," said I.
"Proceed." "Do you
think that I, who have been the Heir Presumptive since the instant of my
birth,
almost, will calmly step aside and permit you to take my place?" I
looked at him, indifferently, and made no answer. "Do you fancy, for an
instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeria would have a fore
