LITMIR.BIZ

      "I have already given you my advice on this matter," said Dufrayer, in a grave tone. He turned and faced the young man as he spoke. "I would say emphatically, choose the thirty thousand now, and get out of it. You have plunged far too heavily in this matter. As to your present run of ill-luck, it will turn, depend upon it, and is only a question of time. If you hedge now you will have to put off your marriage, that is all. In the long run you will be able to fulfil the strange conditions which Carr has enjoined on his daughter's future husband, and if I know Alison aright, she will be willing to wait for you. If, on the other hand, you lose, all is lost. It is the ancient adage, 'A bird in the hand.’"

      "It would be a dead crow," he interrupted excitedly, "and I want a golden eagle." Two hectic spots burned his pale cheeks, and the glitter in his eye showed how keen was the excitement which consumed him.

      "I saw my uncle this morning," he went on. "Of course, Sir John knows my position well, and there is no expense spared to guard and watch the horse. He is never left day or night by old and trusted grooms in the training stables. Whoever my enemy may be, I defy him to tamper with the horse. By the way, you must come down to see the race, Dufrayer; I insist upon it, and you too, Mr. Head. Yes, I should like you both to be there in the hour of my great success. I saw Rushton, the trainer, to-day, and he says the race is all over, bar shouting."

      This was Monday night, and the following Wednesday was Derby Day. On the next evening, impelled by an uncontrollable desire to see Calthorpe, I called a hansom and gave the driver the name of his club. I felt certain that I should find him there. When I arrived the porter told me that he was in the house, and sending up my card, I went across to the tape machine, which was ticking away under its glass case in the hall. Two or three men were standing beside it, chatting. The Derby prices had just come through, and a page-boy was tearing the tape into lengths and pinning them on a green baize board in the hall. I glanced hurriedly through them. Evens Ajax, four to one Bright Star, eleven to two The Midge, eight to one Day Dawn. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and Calthorpe stood beside me. I was startled at his appearance. There was a haggard, wild look in his eyes.

      "It seems to be all right," I said cheerfully. "I see Ajax has gone off a point since this morning, but I suppose that means nothing?"

      "Oh, nothing," he replied; "there has been a pot of money going on Bright Star all day, but the favourite can hold the field from start to finish. I saw him this morning, and he is as fit as possible. Rushton, the trainer, says he absolutely can't lose."

      A small, dark, man in evening dress approached us and overheard Calthorpe's last remark.

      "I'll have a level monkey about that, if you like, Mr. Calthorpe," he said, in a low, nasal voice.

      "It's a wager," retorted Calthorpe, drawing out his pocket-book with silver-bound edges, and entering the bet. "I'll make it a thousand, if you like?" he added, looking up.

      "With pleasure," cried the little man. "Does your friend fancy anything?"

      "No, thank you," I replied.

      The man turned away, and went back to his companions.

      "Who is that fellow?" I asked of Calthorpe.

      "Oh, a very decent little chap. He's on the Stock Exchange, and makes a pretty big book on his own account."

      "So I should think," I replied. "Why do you suppose he wants to lay against Ajax?"

      "Hedging, I should imagine," answered Calthorpe carelessly. "One thousand one way or the other cannot make any difference now."

      He had scarcely said the words before Dufrayer entered the hall.

      "I have been looking for you, Head," he said, just nodding to Calthorpe as he spoke, and coming up to my side. "I went to your house and heard you were here, and hoped I should run you to earth. I want to speak to you. Can you come with me?"

      "Anything wrong?" asked Calthorpe uneasily.

      "I hope not," replied Dufrayer, "but I want to have a word with Head. I will see you presently, Calthorpe."

      He linked his hand through my arm, and we left the club.

      "What is it?" I asked, the moment we got into the street.

      "I want you to come to my flat. Miss Carr is there, and she wishes to see you."

      "Miss Carr at your flat, and she wishes to see me?"

      "She does. You will soon know all about it, Head. Here, let us get into this hansom."

      He hailed one which was passing; we got into it and drove quickly to Shaftesbury Avenue. Dufrayer let himself in to his rooms with a latchkey, and the next moment I found myself in Alison's presence. She started up when she saw the lawyer and myself.

      "Now, Miss Carr," said Dufrayer, shutting the door hastily, "we have not a moment to lose, Will you kindly repeat the story to Head which you have just told me?"

      "But is there anything to be really frightened about?" she asked.

      "I do not know of any one who can judge of that better than Mr. Head. Tell him everything, please, and at once."

      Thus

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