p with a smile which had no little of the boatman's admiration in it.

"Had a swim, my boy? Found everything right, I hope? I was just going
down to see."

"Yes, everything," replied Stafford. "I can't think how you have
managed to get it done in so short a time," he added, looking round at
the well-grown shrubs, the smooth paths and the plush-like lawns, which
all looked as if they had been in cultivation for years.

Sir Stephen shrugged his shoulders.

"It is all a question of money--and the right men," he said. "I always
work on the plan, and ask the questions: 'How soon, how much?' Then I
add ten per cent. to the contract price on condition that the time is
kept. I find 'time' penalties are no use: it breaks the contractor's
back; but the extra ten per cent. makes them hustle, as they say on the
'other side.' Have you seen the stables yet? But of course you haven't,
or I should have seen you there. I go down there every morning; not
because I understand much about horses, but because I'm fond of them.
That will be your department, my dear Stafford."

At each turn of their way Stafford found something to admire, and his
wonderment at the settled and established "Oh, I stipulated that there
shouldn't be any newness--any 'smell of paint,' so to speak. Here are
the stables; I had them put as far from the house as possible, and yet
get-at-able. Most men like to stroll about them. I hope you'll like
them. Mr. Pawson, the trainer, designed them."

Stafford nodded with warm approval.

"They seem perfect," he said as, after surveying the exterior, he
entered and looked down the long reach of stalls and loose boxes, many
of which were occupied, as he saw at a glance, by valuable animals.
"They are a fine lot, sir," he said, gravely, as he went down the long
line. "A remarkably fine lot! I have never seen a better show. This
fellow--why, isn't he Lord Winstay's bay, Adonis?"

"Yes," said Sir Stephen. "I thought you'd like him."

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Stafford. "You don't mean that you have
bought him for me, sir! I know that Winstay refused eight hundred
guineas for him."

"I daresay," replied Sir Stephen. "Why shouldn't I buy him for you, my
boy? There's another one in the box next that one; a little stiffer.
I'm told he's up to your weight and--"

Stafford went into the box and looked at the horse. It was a
magnificent, light-weight hunter--the kind of horse that makes a
riding-man's heart jump.

"I should