d given Dixon to bet on
Lucretia for the Derby, to meet this payment to the bank.

Quite despondently he answered the other man. "I had forgotten all about
it; this shake-up has tangled my memory. I can pay the money, though,"
he added, half defiantly; "it will hamper me, but I can do it."

A sudden thought came to Crane, an inspiration. "I've got it!" he
exclaimed.

Porter brightened up; there was such a world of confidence in the
other's manner.

"We'll just let this Diablo money stand against the payment which is
about due on Ringwood; put it in the bank to cover it, so to speak;
later we can settle to whom it belongs. At present it seems to be
nobody's money; it's seldom one sees a few thousand going abegging for
an owner," he added, jocularly. "You say it isn't yours; I know it isn't
mine; and most certainly it doesn't belong to the bookmaker, for he's
lost it fair and square. We can't let him keep it; they win enough of
the public's money."

Reluctantly, Porter gave a half-hearted acquiescence. He would have
sacrificed tangible interests to leave the money that was in Dixon's
hands with him to bet on Lucretia. It would be like not taking the tide
at its flood to let her run unbacked when her chances of winning were so
good, and the odds against her great enough to insure a big return.

It was after banking hours, quite toward evening, by the time Crane had
obtained this concession. He had brought the winnings for John Porter's
acceptance, should the latter prove amenable to reason. Now it occurred
to him that he might leave the money with one of the bank staff, who
could deposit it the next day.

Crane drove back to the village and went at once to the cashier, Mr.
Lane's house. He was not at home; his wife thought perhaps he was still
in the bank. Crane went there in search of him. He found only Mortimer,
who had remained late over his accounts. From the latter Crane learned
that the cashier had driven over to a neighboring town.

"It doesn't matter," remarked Crane; "I can leave this money with you.
It's to meet a payment of three thousand due from John Porter about the
middle of June. You can put it in a safe place in the vault till the
note falls due, and then transfer it to Porter's credit."

"I'll attend to it, sir," replied Mortimer. "I'll attach the money to
the note, and put them away together."

On his way to the station Crane met Alan Porter.

"I suppose you'd like a holiday to see your fath