he appears to be very much annoyed with you. He thinks
you have not treated him fairly, and seems to hope that when he has seen
you he can arrange matters. Of course, he hasn't the least idea that we
are merely dummies, so if you change your mind you can telephone to us
and we will sit tight. He said he expected to see you this evening."

Copley nodded approvingly. There was no need for hurry, for he knew that
the longer Sir George Haredale thought over the matter, the more likely
he was to yield in the end. After thanking Absalom, who went his way, he
sent for Foster.

"It's all right," he said when the latter came downstairs. "Absalom's
people have seen Sir George, and have left him in a state of blue funk.
I think the best thing we can do is to let him think it over for a day
or two, because the longer he dwells upon the prospect before him the
more likely he will be to listen to any terms I choose to offer. But we
can talk this over after dinner. Let's get back to Seton Manor. By the
way, I suppose you have dealt with those commissions. Did you manage to
lay any money against the Blenheim colt to advantage? Has the trial
leaked out yet?"

"I managed to get a good lump on," Foster explained. "I fancy the story
is getting known. According to one of the papers, the Blenheim colt has
gone back to six to one. I think we have done as much as we can. At any
rate, the money is as good as in our pockets."

At Seton Manor Copley and his accomplice sat down to dinner in higher
spirits and with better appetite than they had displayed for some time.
There was nothing to trouble them. They had netted a huge sum of money
without the slightest risk, and, what was more to the point, they would
be in a position to handle it in the course of a few days. There was a
good deal of flavour in Copley's cigar as he lay back in his seat
sipping his coffee. A moment or two later a footman came in with a note
on a tray. Copley smiled as he tore open the envelope, and intimated to
the servant that he need not wait.

"From the Baronet?" Foster grinned.

"You've guessed it," Copley replied. "He wants me to go over at once on
most important business."

CHAPTER XXVIII

HONOUR BRIGHT

As time passed Sir George Haredale began to think that trouble was
really before him. He had not the least pretence to be a business man.
He had always been prone to take people at their own valuation. He would
never have done anything dishonest or u