ed. "For mercy sake, Mr. Heathcroft," I protested, "don't let
anything I have said influence your bidding. I may be entirely wrong."

He turned and surveyed me through the eyeglass.

"You may wish to bid yourself," he drawled. "Careless of me. So sorry.
Shall I withdraw the bid?"

"No, no. I'm not going to bid. I only--"

"Eleven pounds I am offered, gentlemen," shouted the auctioneer. "Eleven
pounds! It would be like robbing an orphan asylum. Do I hear twelve?"

He heard twelve immediately--from Mr. Heathcroft.

Thirteen pounds were bid. Evidently others shared my opinion concerning
the value of the "high field." Heathcroft promptly raised it to
fourteen. I ventured another protest. So far as effect was concerned I
might as well have been talking to one of the smoke-stacks. The bidding
was lively and lengthy. At last the "high field" went to Mr. A. Carleton
Heathcroft for twenty-one pounds, approximately one hundred and five
dollars. I thought it time for me to make my escape. I was wondering
where I should hide next day, when the run was announced.

"Greatly obliged to you, I'm sure," drawled the fortunate bidder. "Won't
you join me in a whisky and soda or something?"

I declined the whisky and soda.

"Sorry," said Mr. Heathcroft. "Jolly grateful for putting me right,
Mr.--er--"

"Knowles is my name," I said. He might have remembered it; I remembered
his perfectly.

"Of course--Knowles. Thank you so much, Knowles. Thank you and the
second officer. Nothing like having professional information--eh, what?
Rather!"

There seemed to be no doubt in his mind that he was going to win. There
was more than a doubt in mine. I told Hephzy of my experience when I
joined her in the Lounge. My attempts to say "Really" and "Isn't it" and
"Rather" in the Heathcroft manner and with the Heathcroft accent pleased
her very much. As to the result of my unpremeditated "tip" she was quite
indifferent.

"If he loses it will serve him good and right," she declared. "Gamblin's
poor business and I sha'n't care if he does lose."

"I shall," I observed. "I feel responsible in a way and I shall be
sorry."

"'SO sorry,' you mean, Hosy. That's what that blunderin' steward said
when he stepped on my skirt and tore the gatherin' all loose. I told him
he wasn't half as sorry as I was."

But at noon next day, when the observation was taken and the run posted
on the bulletin board the figure was six hundred and two. My "tip"
had been