s at Haredale Park. If you can get rid of him for
me----"

"Oh, I think I can do that," Copley interrupted. "But if I telephone to
Absalom & Co. from here they will want some guarantee from you
that--well, you know what I mean. They won't want any writing, your word
will be good enough for that."

Sir George expanded at this suggestion. It never struck him that a mere
negotiation on this point from Copley's view would be as good as a
written document.

"I think I can give it," he said.

"Very well," Copley said briskly. "I am glad to hear you talk like that.
It is a commonsense view of the situation. Sit down and smoke your cigar
in peace and don't worry any more about the matter. I'll go into my
office and ring up Absalom & Co., and in an hour's time you will be free
from your trouble."

For three-quarters of an hour Sir George sat immersed in gloomy
thoughts. Manipulate the transaction as he might, deceive himself as he
pleased, there was no getting away from the fact that he was
contemplating a shameful thing, and the knowledge that he was saving
himself did not mend matters. The best part of an hour had passed before
Copley returned with a cheerful face.

"I thought I could manage," he exclaimed. "I felt sure there would be
little difficulty, if we only convinced Absalom & Co. that there was a
good thing for them here. But, mind you, I had to give them my word.
They wouldn't accept anything in the least vague. Nothing is to be done
for a fortnight; in fact, not till after the next meeting at Mirst Park,
and at the end of that time the Blenheim colt is to be scratched. You
have only to keep him short of exercise, and the public will conclude
that something serious is amiss with the colt. I had to promise this
before I could move these people at all. Of course, if you don't want to
go as far as that I can ring them up again. It would be a pity to do so,
however, seeing that by this time Absalom's have taken steps to withdraw
their action, and in a few minutes the man at Haredale Park will receive
a telegram calling him back to London at once. You had better think the
matter over. Don't say that I persuaded you, for, if you wish to break
off negotiations, it is not too late to do so."

Copley's voice was gentle, but there was nothing persuasive about him.
He meant to leave the matter entirely in Sir George's hands. But, as he
had confidently expected, Sir George did not repudiate the bargain. On
the contrary,