"exactly," said smith. "to resume, then. the fact is, comrade jarvis, we are much persecuted by scoundrels. how sad it is in this world! we look to every side. we look to north, east, south, and west, and what do we see? mainly scoundrels. i fancy you have heard a little about our troubles before this. in fact, i gather that the same scoundrels actually approached you with a view to engaging your services to do us up, but that you very handsomely refused the contract. we are the staff of peaceful moments."