r George Haredale than of anybody else. A year or two ago I should
have scorned the idea of his doing anything dishonourable. But I have
learnt worldly wisdom, and can imagine how it would be if Sir George
were suddenly face to face with poverty. He is completely under Copley's
thumb. If these two men bring off their coup, they will make an enormous
fortune. But it must be prevented at all costs, Phillips. Think out some
scheme of checkmate, and I shall be your debtor for the rest of my
life."

"I think I can manage that," Phillips said. "I'll tell you what my plan
is when we get back to my rooms."

CHAPTER XXII

A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

Major Carden sat over the breakfast which his daughter had prepared for
him. He had been unusually late the night before, and showed it in the
additional pinkness of his cheeks and the slightly red rims under his
eyes. Not that he was feeling much the worse for the previous evening's
pleasure; indeed, in his philosophical moments, the Major was fond of
speculating which was the wiser--to take his fill of enjoyment's cup
with its concomitants in the morrow of suffering and tribulation, or
abandon such courses, however delightful. One mode of life was jolly to
a point, but, on the other hand, the man who exercised prudence and some
measure of control had a compensation in his economy. As a matter of
fact, the Major never had been economical. "Sufficient for the day is
the evil thereof" summed up his religion to its fullest extent. After a
stimulant he knew he would be himself again, so he ate his breakfast
with a zest that was truly amazing after the carousal of the night.

For Major Carden always appeared to be in the best of health and
spirits. Beyond his impecuniosity he had little to trouble him, and at
the moment things appeared to be going very well indeed. He saw his way
to make money out of Phillips, and had also been offered a roving
commission on the Continent to purchase horses for the Army. This would
entail his being away for three or four months, but his travelling
allowance was liberal, he would put up at the best hotels, and enjoy
himself in a manner consonant with his mission and dignity. He would
tell his daughter that he was going abroad on some journalistic
commission, for the Major, to do him justice, would have been loth for
Alice to know all the expedients he resorted to in earning his
precarious living.

His love for his daughter was the one wholesome s