housand pounds in itself was not much
to lose. It would leave him only a little worse off than he was at
present. On the other hand, it might bring him in enough to start life
again as a rich man. He was thinking of May Haredale and all the
brilliant possibilities in that quarter. He could stop this vile
conspiracy. It was for him to say what the future of the Blenheim colt
was, and he could do this without arousing any gossip or giving the
public any chance for spicy scandal. When the right moment came he could
go to Sir George and inform him that he had no control whatever over the
colt. Sir George might bluster and Copley might threaten, but their
threats would be in vain. In the long run Sir George would benefit and
May would be free from the persecutions of a scoundrel and Fielden would
be in a position to offer her a luxurious home. He had learnt his
lesson, too. He was no longer the careless and extravagant youth who had
left England more or less under a cloud.

He was aroused from his reverie by questions from Phillips.

"Really, I beg pardon," he said, "but, for the moment, I was thinking
about something else."

"Oh, I understand that," Phillips said with a dry smile. "But we haven't
finished. Our case is not complete. We must know whether there is any
big wagering on the three o'clock race this afternoon in the Post Club.
To get my facts I have brought Major Carden over here on purpose. I have
paid his expenses to and from Germany, and I understand he wishes to
return to-night, if possible. Let's go on to our hotel and wait for him.
But I must tell you that Carden knows nothing. He thinks I have some
deep scheme on for making money and so long as I pay him for his
information he is satisfied. You had better leave all questions to me."

Fielden was willing enough to do so. To some degree he was not pleased
to be mixed up in this business, though it gave him a hold over Copley.
They had hardly reached their hotel before the Major came in. He made
no objection to Phillips' offer of refreshment. They talked for a few
minutes on indifferent topics and then Phillips went to the point.

"I suppose you've got my cheque," he said, "or you would not have been
here to-day. I hope it wasn't inconvenient."

"It was devilish inconvenient," the Major said in his florid way. "But
as you are willing to pay I don't mind. Now I am ready to give you all
the information you need. Please don't be long because I have a train to