r, that I had plans for the
chauffeur. But it is the master that I want to speak of. You know that
I am not a rich man myself. I expect all the county knows that. When
Black Tulip lost the Derby I was hard hit. And other things as well.
Then I had a legacy of a thousand. This infernal bank was paying 7 per
cent. on deposits. I knew Wilde. I saw him. I asked him if it was
safe. He said it was. I paid it in, and within forty-eight hours the
whole thing went to bits. It came out before the Official Receiver that
Wilde had known for three months that nothing could save him. And yet he
took all my cargo aboard his sinking vessel. He was all right--confound
him! He had plenty besides. But I had lost all my money and no law
could help me. Yet he had robbed me as clearly as one man could rob
another. I saw him and he laughed in my face. Told me to stick to
Consols, and that the lesson was cheap at the price. So I just swore
that, by hook or by crook, I would get level with him. I knew his
habits, for I had made it my business to do so. I knew that he came back
from Eastbourne on Sunday nights. I knew that he carried a good sum with
him in his pocket-book. Well it's _my_ pocket-book now. Do you mean to
tell me that I'm not morally justified in what I have done? By the Lord,
I'd have left the devil as bare as he left many a widow and orphan, if
I'd had the time!"

"That's all very well. But what about me? What about the girls?"

"Have some common sense, Barker. Do you suppose that I could go and
stick up this one personal enemy of mine and escape detection? It was
impossible. I was bound to make myself out to be just a common robber
who had run up against him by accident. So I turned myself loose on the
high road and took my chance. As the devil would have it, the first man
I met was yourself. I was a fool not to recognise that old ironmonger's
store of yours by the row it made coming up the hill. When I saw you I
could hardly speak for laughing. But I was bound to carry it through.
The same with the actresses. I'm afraid I gave myself away, for I
couldn't take their little fal-lals, but I had to keep up a show. Then
came my man himself. There was no bluff about that. I was out to skin
him, and I did. Now, Barker, what do you think of it all? I had a
pistol at your head last night, and, by George! whether you believe it or
not, you have one at mine this morning!"

The young man rose slo