urious to learn what yours consists of."

"Why?"

"It struck me that we might work together."

"I'm not going in for card-sharping or anything of that kind!"

The man seemed roused by this, but he mastered his anger.

"Civility isn't expensive and sometimes it's wise," he observed. "I won't
return the compliment; in fact, I'll credit you with the most
disinterested motives. All I mean is that I might help you and you might
help me. I'm not quite what you seem to think I am, and if I can get my
money back out of Gladwyne I won't harm him."

"I don't care in the least whether you harm him or not. But I'll try to
arrange that you drop Crestwick."

Batley considered this for a moment or two.

"Well," he said, "I'm sorry we can't agree; but as regards Crestwick you
can only head me off by forcing Gladwyne to interfere. Between ourselves,
do you think he's a man who's likely to take a bold course?"

"I think so--in the present case."

"You mean if the pressure's sufficient. Now you have given me a glimpse
at your hand and I'll be candid. Gladwyne rather let me in, and there's a
risk in dealing with a lad who's to all intents and purposes a minor;
I've gone about as far with him as I consider judicious. Don't do
anything that may damage Gladwyne financially without giving me warning,
and in return I'll let Crestwick go. To some extent, I only got hold of
him as an offset to the trouble I've had with Gladwyne. Is it a bargain?
You can trust me."

"We'll let it go at that," replied Lisle. "But I'll keep my eye on you."

Batley's gesture implied that he would not object to this, and he turned
away, leaving the Canadian to walk back to Nasmyth's thoughtfully. Lisle
did not think he had done Gladwyne much harm by his tacit admissions, and
he had some degree of confidence in Batley's assurance.

CHAPTER XVII

A BAD FALL

Gladwyne spent the first few days that followed Lisle's visit in a state
of dread and indecision. He had allowed the Canadian to understand that
he would endeavor to prevent Crestwick's being further victimized, but he
had already failed to induce Batley to abandon the exploitation of the
lad and he had no cause for believing that a second attempt would be more
successful. Moreover, he shrank from making it; the man had shown him
clearly that he would brook no interference.

On the other hand, he was equally afraid of Lisle. This cool, determined
Canadian was not to be trifled with, and he