t."

Mr Mortimer gave a nod which Tom felt he would like greatly to have at
his command, there was something so very knowing and familiar about it.

"It was Tom got up that little race party I was telling you of, Jack,
you know. He's a regular sporting card. By the way, what's become of
that little mooney-face prig we took with us that day; eh, Tom?"

Tom was out in midstream now, floating fast out to sea.

"Who--oh, young Newcome?" said he; "he's still at Randlebury."

"Young puppy! You never knew such a spree as that was, Jack," said Gus;
and then he launched forth into a highly-spiced account of the eventful
expedition to Gurley races, contriving to represent Tom as the hero of
the day, greatly to that youth's discomfort and confusion, and no less
to the amusement of Mr Mortimer.

"Here we are at last," said Gus, as the trio arrived at a gorgeously
illuminated and decorated restaurant.

Tom's heart sunk within him. More than ever did he wish himself back in
his dull lodgings, never again to set foot abroad, if only he could have
got out of this fix. But there was no drawing back.

"Shall we go in yet, or knock the balls about for a bit?" said Gus.
"This fellow Tom's a regular swell at billiards. Do you remember
thrashing me last time we met, Tom--the summer after I'd left
Randlebury?"

Tom could not deny he had beaten Gus on the occasion referred to, and
felt it was useless for him to protest--what was the case--that he was
only a very indifferent player. He agreed to the idea of a game,
however, as he hoped he might at its close be able to make his escape
without accompanying his two companions to the music-hall attached to
the restaurant, and which he already knew by reputation as one of the
lowest entertainments in London. "You two play," said Gus, "and I'll
mark. You'll have to give Jack points, Tom, you know, you're such a
dab."

It was vain for Tom to disclaim the distinction, and the game began.

"Hold hard!" said Gus, after the first stroke; "what are you playing
for?"

"Weally, I don't know; thillingth, I thuppothe," lisped Mr Mortimer.

"All serene! Go on."

And they went on, and Mr Mortimer made no end of misses, so that, in
spite of the points he had received, Tom beat him easily. In the two
games which followed the same success attended him, and he won all the
stakes.

"Didn't I tell you he was a swell?" said Gus. "Upon my word, Tom, I
don't know how you do it!"

"It's ju