ve Absalom & Co. a hint to put the screw on without delay. What you
have to do is thoroughly to frighten Sir George, who will probably send
for you, and see if he can't arrange terms. We had better motor to
London at once. It might be as well to get Absalom's people to send a
man down this afternoon to let Sir George know that business is meant.
By the time we get back this evening there will be a note from Sir
George asking you to go over and see him. If not, I am no prophet."

On the best of terms with themselves the conspirators started for town
half an hour later, and before eleven o'clock Copley was closeted with
the principal of the well-known financial house of Absalom & Co.
Apparently the interview was to his satisfaction, for he soon made his
way to the Post Club. Foster joined him at lunch, and up to four o'clock
they amused themselves by making small wagers on the day's racing. Soon
after five one of the waiters came into the smoking-room and informed
Copley that a gentleman was waiting to see him.

He went downstairs to find Mr. Absalom in the ante-room. The latter
smiled as he heard the clicking of the machines.

"Do you do anything in that way?" Copley asked.

"Not I," the visitor laughed. "I leave that to the fools who have more
money than sense. If there were no such thing as a horse or a bet I
should be deprived of nine-tenths of my clients, and instead of being a
rich man, I should be hard put to it to obtain a living. So the sport
has all my sympathy. But I didn't come here to discuss racing. I want to
speak to you about Sir George Haredale. I sent my manager down to see
him."

"Yes, yes," Copley said impatiently.

"Oh, I won't detain you longer than I can help. My manager saw Sir
George and had a long conversation with him. He was inclined to be high
and mighty at first, but we soon changed all that. He was very anxious
to know why you had transferred your debt to us, and we told him, of
course, that you were engaged in very big speculations which called for
all the ready capital you could lay your hands upon. We also hinted that
we were finding money tight, and gave him to know that unless the cash
was paid within a week, we should have to avail ourselves of our rights
and place a man in possession at Haredale Park. That rather knocked the
old gentleman off his balance. My manager said he was quite civil after
that, and intimated his intention to do everything he could. But, at
the same time,