ty man of loans and discounts for many a day,
"Eh, Tappy!" cried Broughton, "come to sport a fifty on the filly?"

"Walk a little this way, Sir Dudley," said he, gravely; and his voice
soon convinced the hearer that something serious was in the wind.

"What's the matter, man? You look as if Cardinal was dead lame."

"Sir Dudley, you must start from this at once. Holds-worth has taken
proceedings on the bills; Lord Corthern has foreclosed; the whole body
of the creditors are up; and you 'll be arrested before you leave the
field!"

If the threat had conveyed the ignominious penalty of felony, Broughton
could not have looked more indignant. "Arrested! You don't mean that we
cannot raise enough to pay these rascals?"

"Your outstanding bills are above twenty thousand, sir."

"And if they be; do you tell me that with my estate--"

"My dear Sir Dudley, how much of it is unencumbered? What single
portion, save the few hundreds a year of Lady Broughton's jointure, is
not sunk under mortgage? But this is no time for discussion; get into
the chaise with me; we 'll reach London in time for the mail; to-morrow
you can be in Boulogne, and then we shall have time at least for an
arrangement."

"The race is just coming off! how can I leave? I'm a steward; besides,
I have a tremendous book. Do you know how many thousands I stand to win
here?"

"To lose, you mean," said the solicitor. "You 're sold!" The words were
whispered so low as to be almost inaudible; but Broughton actually
staggered as he heard them.

"Sold! how? what? Impossible, man! Who could sell me?"

"Only one man, perhaps, but he has done it! Is it true you have backed
Calliope?"

"Yes!" said he, staring wildly.

"She was found hamstrung this morning in the stable, then," said
Taperton; "if you want to hear further particulars, you must ask your
friend the Count Radchoffsky!"

"The scoundrel! the black-hearted villain! I see it all!" cried
Broughton. "Come, Taperton, let us start! I'll go with you; by Jove, you
have found a way to make me eager for the road!"

The lawyer read in the bloodshot eye and flushed face the passion for
vengeance that was boiling within him, but he never spoke as they moved
on and entered the carriage.

It was full three hours before the expected time of his return, when the
chaise in which they travelled drew up at the Clarendon, and Broughton,
half wild with rage, dashed upstairs to the suite of splendid rooms he
occupied.