CHAPTER I.

Free Lance, 15 December 1902, Page 6

CHAPTER I.

CAPTAIN Oscar Sharpe, Turf Commissioner," were the name and vocation inscribed on the card which was handed to the footman by the visitor. He was a somewhat suspicious-looking person, attired in a very loud check suit, set off with a gorgeous scarf, a splendidly-flowered vest, a massive watch-chain, and some rather dubious articles of jewellery. His features indicated a dissipated life, and tine shifty eyes denoted cunning and duplicity. The tout ensemble was distinctly "horsey," of the type of the Brighton and Lewes and other inferior racecourses, which are infested by "bookies" and welchers. By what mysterious operation of the laws of nature do men of tins class gradually assimilate from their associations and environments that indefinable air which serves to proclaim their position in the social scale as plainly as the camera of the photographer ? He was ushered into the study, and occupied the interval before the arrival of the master of the house, Mr. Robert Green — a retired banker and widower, of Golden. Square — in taking stock of the profusion of wealth displayed in the well-furnished library, and rare pictures by famous artists. "Any fool can see," soliloquised the visitor, "that the old cove has a very snug pile, and he ain't likely, if my name's Sharpe, to allow the family reputation to suffer through, any amateur book-making of that yocng mug of a son of his. The dad's got the spondulux, and I'll make him ante up, if I hnow a thing or two." The reverie was interrupted by the -entrance of the ex-banker, who, in spite of hie advanced years, retained the businesslike appearance of an experienced financier, who had been accustomed in his time to deal with large interests. Though slightly oowed by a life at the desk, his glance was keen and searching, and his manner cautious and reserved. Taking a chair facing the visitor, and Bcsnitmising him with a swift look, which took in hia characteristics by a momentary survey, he inquired, in that dry and formal tone which is peculiar to hankers and men engaged in important undertakings : "Will you be good enough, sir, to state your business?" The "Turf Commissioner" did not like the somewhat brusque tone of voice in which the request was uttered, though the use of the matter-of-fact term "business" seemed to promise well for a practical consideration of the case, devoid of mere sentiment or moral scruples. His answer went straight to the point. "Sir, the fact is," said the pseudo captain, "I am here on a little matter of business affecting your son, Mr. Lionel Green." "In what wav?" asked the old pentleman. "Well, I hold his promissory note for money lent to the amount of £1500, with interest to date." "For what purpose was the money lent?" "Well, perhaps, it is best to come to the point, without any jibbing or attempts to< get the inside running. I advanced the money in order to relieve your son from a number of pressing betting debts, to save his own credit and the honour of the family." "You mean you worked a swindle, Captain Sharpe, or whatever your real name is?" "Don't let us use hard words. Your son would have claimed the money if he had won has bets. I think, instead of slangine me for my kindness in saving the family name, by releasing your son from his debts, you ought to regard me as a friend." "Humbug, Mr. Sharpe. You were

cunning enough to know that a promissory note would be more easily turned into hard cash than entries in a bettingbook." "There's just one or twoi other little matters. Mr. Green, that I ouorht to bring under your notice. We hold a forged cheque on your account, to which your son has attached your signature." Evidently this shot struck home The ex-banker's face paled, and for a moment he was silent, and seemed to be mentally struggling with the new and, to him, more serious difficulty. Then, he broke forth in angry tones "This 1 is the last time I shall allow myself to be blackmailed by rogues and swindlers through the wickedness of a

worthless son. Go to my lawyers, Shearer and Skinner of Lincoln's Inn, to whom I will give you a note of introduction. You will get £1000, and no more. And now, go' and never darken this door again, or I will invoke the assistance of Scotland Yard." Thus ended the interview. * ♦ * There was much bustling about at No. 12, Golden Square. The servants whispered and looked mysterious. Mr Greeen had been closeted all the forenoon in his study with Mr. Shearer, senior partner in the eminent legal firm of Shearer and Skinner, of Lincoln's Inn. It was surmised that they had been engaged in drafting a will. Only the housekeeper (Mrs. Jones) knew something, through the medium of a keyhole, of what had actually transpired, and, of course, she told the butler. They were both about to dare fate by another plunge into matrimony. Also, when Shearer was bidding goodbye to Mr. Green at the front door the footman heard him say "No Sharpe won't get a stiver over £500. Let me know when the first remittance is to be mailed to Brown and Co., of Wellington. Good night'" * * * When Lionel Green came home that night, after a lively time with boon companions, he was informed bv the footman that his father had been

ken off. That is all I have to say. Good night." While his father was speaking, Lionel stood dumbfounded, and guilt-stricken. He knew his parent's unbending will too well to appeal for forgiveness. He went silently out of the study, and retired to his private sitting-room to reflect on the situation. He caught sight of a letter on his desk, and eagerly snatched it up. The address was in a familiar handwriting. It was a letter from Maud Hamilton, couched in sorrowful words, breaking off the engagement. "Ah, well," soliloquised Lionel, as he gulped down a stiff nobbier from a surreptitious bottle, "troubles never come singly. But I will see Maud once more before I go to the Antipodes to live among the savages and cannibals."

all the evening in his study, awaiting his return. The promptings of conscience suggested to the young man that something of an unpleasant nature was impending. His first impulse was to flee from the house, or sneak quietly upstairs to bed. But he knew his father's temper too well to attempt either course. Summoning up his courage, he knocked at the door of the study, and, in response to a stern " Come in," entered the room, and stood silent, with bent head, waiting for his father to open the conversation. " So you have resumed your vicious habits of drinking, gambling, consorting with rogues and scoundrels, and bringing disgrace on the family name ?" said the old gentleman, and he went on to describe the visit he had received from Captain Sharpe. " I have suffered myself to be blackmailed by a horde of swindlers in. order to save the family from disgrace, and in the hope that you would reform. But, now, you have fallen still lower. "You stand here a common forger and thief. You have sounded all the depths of degradation! and are no longer fit to live under this roof. You sail by the first shin chartered by the New Zealand Land Company for Wellington. I will furnish the necessairy outfit, and pay through my agent®, John Plummer and Co., a quarterly remittance, sufficient for your actual wants. But, your whole future life will depend on your own industry and honesty. Your elder brother John will continue to manage tihe bank. Of course, your engagement with Miss Maud Hamilton will bo bro-