In this excerpt from Dorothy Dunnett's Checkmate, Francis Crawford introduces himself and mentions his brother, highlighting their shared history at St. Barbe. Moses responds with familiarity, recognizing Francis and joking about his mischievous reputation, such as causing trouble with professors’ boots. The characters exchange hints about past deeds and shared secrets, creating a tone of camaraderie and intrigue.
Quotes in the dialogue reveal hints of scandal and hidden knowledge. M. de Sevigny acknowledges potentially knowing about Francis's past misdeeds and warns him not to reveal too much, suggesting a complex history filled with mischief and secret dealings. Their conversation hints at deeper stories involving academic and social misdemeanors behind their public personas.