lay, and, lowering his
head to his paws, put up his nose and barked joyously.

"Come here, Patch," said Anthony.

The tone was not that of the playground, and the terrier obeyed
mechanically--circumspectly, too, though, for he disliked heights.

Anthony addressed his companion.

"When he's near enough, take hold of his collar. Hang on like grim
death. Listen! My arm's giving out. I'm going to let you go while I
pull myself up. It's the only chance. You're light, and he'll stick
his toes in. Put a strain on him now, so that he's ready."

"I shall pull him over," said Valerie.

"No, you won't, dear. Do as I say. Quick!"

He almost screamed the last word.

The moment he felt the strain, the terrier resisted wildly. Planting
his forefeet against the heather-roots, he refused with all the
instinctive terror of the dumb animal, straining every muscle of his
little thick-set frame to avoid a closer acquaintance with that
horrible brink....

Very gently Anthony lowered his companion till her arm was resting upon
the turf and the edge of the cliff was in her arm-pit. Then--

"Only a second, sweet," he said quietly, and let her go....

With a frightful heave he was on his stomach ... on his thighs ... his
knees ... feet. He turned, staggering.

His back hunched like a cat's, Patch was sliding forward.

In a flash Lyveden had stooped, caught Valerie's arm with both hands,
dug in his heels and flung himself backward....

The three landed in a heap anyhow.

The moment he was at length detached from Valerie, Patch retired a good
score of paces from the edge of the bluff. He had had enough of cliffs
for the rest of his life. His master's interpretation of games was
usually brilliant. This last was an exception. He could see nothing
in it.

* * * * *

Betty Alison laid her hand orderly upon the green baize, with the
complacent air of the player who is presenting his or her partner with
all the essential factors of Grand Slam.

After staring fixedly at the display, her husband put his cards face
downwards upon the table and covered his eyes.

"I suppose," he said brokenly, "I suppose you had a reason for
overbidding me. I confess I can't see it, but I expect that's because
it's too subtle."

"What d'you mean?" was the indignant reply. "Look at those"--and Betty
pointed proudly to a queen-high flush of six diamonds.

"But you called hearts!"

Betty started. Then--