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Updated: June 9, 2025
"I didn't think you'd manage it that way," Batley remarked. "The edge appears a little more promising." He went up, with Lisle following, finding hold for knees and fingers, while Nasmyth and Crestwick, panting heavily, encouraged each other below. On reaching the top of the pinnacle, Batley lay upon it and gave Lisle his hand; and when he had drawn him up he pointed to the tree.
George had been a healthy man, not much older than Clarence, when the money was borrowed, and his decease within a limited time had appeared improbable. Nobody would believe the actual truth that Batley with characteristic boldness had, in return for what he thought a sufficient consideration in the shape of an exorbitant interest, taken a serious risk.
"It isn't worth while betting on trials," Batley declared. "Better wait until the meeting." The girl was less astonished than gratified. Gladwyne was surprised and disconcerted. He had said nothing to Batley about Crestwick, but he had noticed Lisle's warning glance, and the other's prompt acquiescence appeared significant.
Having little of the gambler's instinct in his nature, he was reluctant to lose the money at stake, but he was more unwilling to let Batley fleece the lad whom, as he recognized now, he had been asked to aid. He meant to do so, if the thing were possible, and twice he paused and relaxed his grip when his sight grew slightly blurred.
"Quite right," agreed Batley, walking up and casting a swift and searching glance at Gladwyne. "But you can't let him lie on the wet grass!" Millicent expostulated. "I'm afraid we must; it's safest," said Batley. "The shock's not so much to be dreaded with a man of his kind."
Lisle appeared annoyed. "That man Batley irritated me; though, after all, I don't blame him the most." This was a slip. "Whom do you blame?" she asked sharply. "Oh," he explained, "I wasn't the only person, present, and I hadn't arrived at the beginning. Somebody should have stopped the fellow; the shares he tried to work off on Crestwick were no good."
"If you would only get rid of Batley too!" "I can hardly do that just now; he's useful in several ways. Still, of course, if I married " He broke off abruptly, for his mother had occasional flashes of discernment. "Millicent has means," she said. He started at this, wondering how much she had guessed, but he veiled his embarrassment with a smile.
Millicent smiled, the tension suddenly slackened, and as the packer who cooked was away with his comrade, they all set about preparing a meal which, thanks to Batley, was eaten amid a flow of lively conversation. The man was weary, but he could rise to an occasion and summon to his aid a genial wit.
"I don't expect anything from you," Lisle informed him. "In proof of it, I'll mention that I called to tell Gladwyne he must keep you off of Jim Crestwick." He made a slip in the last few words, which the other quickly noticed. "Ordered him, in fact," he said. Lisle made no answer and Batley resumed: "You have some kind of a hold on Gladwyne; so have I. Of course, it's no news to you.
I've noticed your interest in young Crestwick it's obvious I don't know whether one could say the same of the cause of it?" "We won't discuss that. If you have anything to say to me, you had better adopt a less offensive style." Batley smiled good-humoredly. "You're quick at resenting things. I don't see why you should expect a longer patience from me."
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