e tumbler,
and some of the spirit ran over his chin. Twice he made a gesture for
more. After the third dose he had swallowed more than a tumblerful....
Presently he began to look less grey, and the trembling abated. In
three or four minutes he was quite calm. Anthony was about to ask if
he should help him upstairs, when he spoke suddenly.

"Shut t' door."

Anthony did his bidding. When he came back, his master had a
letter-case in his hand.

"What are your wages?" he said.

"Seventy-two pounds a year, sir."

Mr. Slumper put a hand to his brow and knitted this wearily, as if the
effort of calculation was more than he could bear. Then he took out
two five-pound notes and two one-pound notes.

"There's twelve pound," he said slowly. "One month's wages, and
another's in lieu of notice."

Anthony stared at the money.

"I haven't been here a month yet, sir."

His master waved aside the objection.

"Only honest servant I've ever had," he said shortly. "Gentleman,
aren't you? Never mind. Couldn't let you down. Others can go to
hell, but not you. And now--better clear out. Right away. Get your
box and go. Don't let the others see you. Give 'em the slip."

"But--but won't you be dining, sir?" said Anthony desperately. He was
trying instinctively to grapple with a situation which had put him upon
his back.

At the mention of dinner Mr. Slumper laughed hideously. The brandy was
getting into its stride now, and colour was beginning to climb into his
cheeks.

"Dining?" he croaked. "Dining?"

In a deliberate, imperturbable tone a clock upon the mantelpiece chimed
the half-hour, and the laugh snapped off short. The next moment the
man had Lyveden's arm in a grip of iron.

"Listen," he breathed. "I'm broke ... ruined ... got to run for it.
Couldn't stand gaol at my age. It ain't pretty, I know, but I'm
fifty-nine, Lyveden, fifty-nine." The tense utterance broke into a
whimper. "An'--an' that's too old for prison, Lyveden, an' they
wouldn't give me a chance. The lawyers 'd make it out bad. You can
gamble with others' money as long as you win, Lyveden, but you mustn't
lose ... mustn't ever lose. There's a law against that."

All the soldier in Anthony came to his aid.

"Are you going now, sir?" The other nodded, "Shall I get you a taxi?"

"Yes." Mr. Slumper jerked a contemptuous head at the ceiling. "She'll
have to go with me," he added thickly. "Can't leave the old fool."

"I'll ke