Part 16 (1/2)

”Well, Orthur, putting that and that together--his quick, jerky, excited way, and his fierce-looking eyes, and his ignorance of Society etiquette as to strangers calling, and wanting to see everybody, just as if he was one of the oldest friends of the faet a few naoes and calls”

”For swindling and picking up anything as is not out of his reach, sir, or about money?”

”Well, say a bit touched in the head, Orthur” The butler put his hand to his throat to try whether the tie of his white cravat was in its place, and looked up the street and down, acts imitated exactly by his lieutenant, and for so more was said Then the footman in very respectful tones--

”Ever try your 'and, Mr Roach, sir, at any of those ga shops abroad?”

”Well, once or twice, Orthur,” said the butler, relaxing a little to his junior ”I ith a young noble and Baden and one or two other places”

”And how did you get on, sir?”

”Oh, I made a few louis, Orthur, and I should have made more if we had stopped, I daresay”

”Lor'! How I should like to have a bit of a try there, sir,” said the footerly

”You would, Orthur, eh? You mean it?”

”Mean it, sir? I should just think I should That's what Mr Robert's after now, I'll bet; and look at the money, Mr Dennis--Mr Paddy-- pockets over his flutters there, let alone over every race and event co off Ah, it's fine to be theood lad, I suppose they do pretty well You see, if I or you were disposed to put a sov'rin or two on the next event--”

”Half-a-crown's 'bout ure, sir”

”Ah, well, say half-a-crown, Orthur; it ht even be a fiver But with them when they win, it's hundreds or thousands”

”Ah!” ejaculated the foot his lips

”By the way, there's New on?”

”Well, no, not yet, Orthur; perhaps I may”

”Do, sir, and I will, too Mr Roach, sir,” whispered the young man behind his hand, as the butler turned upon him with a look of reproof for his assuood boy! Why, that horse is at fifty to one”

”That's it, sir; and I' half-a-crown on him”

”Better keep it in your pocket, my lad,” said the butler, blandly

”No, sir; I think not I've got the tip”

”Eh?” said the butler, eagerly ”Where from?”

”I heered Mr Paddy tell Mr Jaold out of his cash-box in the lib'ry--little rolls out of that big tin box of his I didn't hear no h forhis superior way of speaking to whisper confidentially, ”it will do for n to put on at the same time Let me see, Orthur, we're not very busy this afternoon, and I shall be about to answer the door