mere jealousy. As Copley bent over
May Haredale's hand and murmured something which he intended for a
compliment, Fielden started back for a moment.

"This is my young friend, Mr. Harry Field," Sir George said. "Harry, let
me introduce you to Mr. Copley. I think I have found the very man you
want for your stables, Copley. He is the son of an old pal of mine and
has all the game at his finger-tips."

Copley threw a half-contemptuous glance at Fielden and did not hold out
his hand, for which discourtesy Harry felt grateful.

"Excuse me a moment," Fielden said. "I have forgotten something. I'll be
back presently."

With his head in a whirl Fielden walked into the library. He was
fighting hard for the mastery of himself.

"Good God!" he muttered, "so it's that blackguard! What a blessing he
doesn't know me by sight! Raymond Copley and May Haredale! Not if it
costs me my life!"

CHAPTER VI

A TRIAL SPIN ON THE DOWNS

Harry Fielden spent a sleepless night and was glad when it was time to
come down to breakfast. He congratulated himself upon the way he had
restrained himself on the previous evening. He had even forced himself
to be polite to Copley, though his one impulse had been to take him by
the throat and choke the life out of him. His very presence in a house
like Haredale Park was an outrage. He wondered what Sir George would say
if he had known the real character of his guest. Possibly Fielden would
have spoken freely, had not he remembered what Sir George had said as to
the relationship existing between himself and Raymond Copley. Plainly
the master of Haredale Park was under the scoundrel's thumb. No doubt he
had lent him money, and probably the price of the assistance was to be
May Haredale's hand. There had been no mistaking Copley's manner towards
her. His air of cool proprietorship had sent the blood humming in
Fielden's head and caused it to tingle in his finger-tips. Harry had to
smile complacently whilst every instinct in his nature was crying out
against the villain's presence. He had only to speak and he knew that
Sir George would do his duty at any cost.

But he dared not speak. He had no desire to ruin the man who had been so
kind to him. It was far better to play a waiting game. But come what
might, May Haredale should never marry that man. Sir George should be
ruined a thousand times over and Haredale Park pass into the hands of
strangers before that catastrophe occurred.

It had be