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Lisle opened the letters handed him and managed to read them, though their condition fully bore out Crestwick's description. Two or three were on business matters, but there was one from Millicent, and he started at the first few lines. "Miss Gladwyne and Miss Hume have sailed they must have landed a week ago," he announced.
He occasionally spoke of business ties, so he had an occupation, but he had not in Lisle's hearing mentioned what it was. Crestwick's face was hot as he answered his remark. "Not at all, Batley. The trouble is that I'm used to the Roberts target, and the spots on the card are puzzling after the rings. I'll get into it presently." "Oh, well," acquiesced the other.
It was innocent enough, but Lisle fancied that there was sufficient flattery in the speech to incite the headstrong lad, who had now emptied the glass at his hand. He remembered that on another occasion when there had been a good deal at stake, Batley had played on Crestwick's feelings, though in a slightly different manner.
Gladwyne," Nasmyth declared. There was silence for a while, and then Lisle spoke again. "I'm badly worried; any move of mine would lead to endless trouble and yet there's the black blot on the memory of the man to whom I owe so much; I can't bring myself to let it remain. Besides all this, there's another complication." "Young Crestwick's somehow connected with it," Nasmyth guessed.
Don't let me disturb you." He saw Crestwick's look and understood what was in the lad's mind. It was incomprehensible to the latter that a man should boldly confess his ignorance of a game of high repute.
"I've had opportunities for learning something, as prospector, locator of alluvial claims and holder of an interest in one or two comparatively prosperous companies." He leaned forward and touched Crestwick's shoulder. "Come along, Jim, and I'll give you one or two particulars that should decide you." Somewhat to his astonishment, the lad rose and rather sheepishly followed him.
"Gladwyne and I are quite willing to give you your chance," was Batley's quick reply; but Lisle unceremoniously laid his hand on Crestwick's shoulder. "Come along," he urged, laughing. "Luck's against you; you've had quite enough." He had the lad out of the door in another moment, and looking back from the landing he saw a curious look in Gladwyne's face which he thought was one of disgust.
Jim Crestwick's description of the incident was correct Gladwyne had ridden straight at the broken hurdle, knowing what the consequences might be and disregarding them. The next moment, however, the reaction had begun and he was thankful that he had not committed a hideous crime. Indeed, the knowledge that he had come so near to killing his opponent had left him badly shaken.
Crestwick's eyes were smarting from the white glare; having started when weary from a previous journey, his legs and shoulders ached; but he had no choice between freezing and keeping himself slightly warm by steady walking. It would, he knew, be harder by and by, when his strength began to fail and the heat died out of his exhausted body.
Perhaps I might hint that Bella Crestwick's hardly likely to consider him as big enough game." "Don't be coarse!" Millicent paused. "But he spoke hotly in her defense." "After all," responded Nasmyth, "I shouldn't wonder if she deserves it; but it has no significance. You see, he's a rather chivalrous person." Millicent flashed a quick glance at him, but his face was expressionless.
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