knew or suspected enough
about the tragedy in British Columbia to make him dangerous. It was
certain that a revelation of Batley's speculation would go a very long
way toward establishing the truth of any damaging story Lisle thought fit
to tell. Supposing the two by any chance combined their knowledge--that
he had raised money in anticipation of his cousin's death, and afterward
left him to perish--nothing that he could say would count against the
inference. George had been a healthy man, not much older than Clarence,
when the money was borrowed, and his decease within a limited time had
appeared improbable. Nobody would believe the actual truth that Batley
with characteristic boldness had, in return for what he thought a
sufficient consideration in the shape of an exorbitant interest, taken a
serious risk. The thing would look like a conspiracy between the heir
presumptive and the speculator who lent the money; and in this, for a
bold man, there might have been a loophole for escape, but Gladwyne knew
that he had not the nerve to use the fact against his ally.

Nevertheless, Gladwyne was really guiltless in one respect--he had not
desired his cousin's death; he would have gone back to the rescue had he
not dreaded that he would share George's fate. Lack of courage had been
his bane, and it was so now, for instead of speaking to Batley he
temporized. The man had made no further attempt upon Crestwick, and
Gladwyne decided that until he did so there was no need for him to
interfere. Still, as the next few weeks passed, he was conscious of a
growing dread of the Canadian which, as sometimes happens, became tinged
with hatred. Lisle was the more serious menace, and it was ominous that
he now and then exchanged a word or two with Batley. If the two formed an
offensive alliance, he would be helpless at their hands.

In the meanwhile, Nasmyth has been training his horse for the approaching
meeting and after trying him against one belonging to a neighbor and not
finding it fast enough he had reluctantly fallen back on a chestnut owned
by Gladwyne. The animal possessed a fine speed and some jumping powers.
Its chief fault was a vicious temper; but Gladwyne was seldom troubled by
lack of nerve in the saddle. It was in time of heavy moral strain that he
failed, and he was glad to arrange with Nasmyth for a sharp gallop.

Somewhat to the latter's regret, news of his intentions had spread, and
on the morning of the trial a numbe