CHAPTER XXXIII

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 245, 10 March 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXIII

Vi li jr. Fred Foster went to call upon Mrs Fan mm vice in Jermyn-streot, it ■wa* nob without studied preparation ; hi* hat and boots and gloves wove all new and near.: and he had taken the ureatet-fc fare of hi^ oencral appearance. As she came into the iooiii, and carelessly gave him her hand, her sharp eyes noticed this at once, and she laughed a httlc. "What, then?" he said, nUhcr resentfully ; io v no one like* to be scrutinised in that fashion. " We're smart, ain't we V " What did \ou e.vpeet ''." he said. " Did you want me to come in fancy dress, like a icady-money fielder?" "1 was thinking of Rcarboiough," she said, good-natuiedly. " Oh, don't think L am objecting. Quite the contrary. I think your appeurunce now would be much more likely to inspire the confidence of the botting public. And I hope, it's a sign of a change of 1 luck— l do, indeed.' 1 She was putting aside the window curtains to lei a little more of the afternoon light into the clunky apartment, while he put his hat and gloves on a small side-table hard by. But when she turned to him again she seemed to be struck with something in his look. " Hallo," she eaid, " what's the matter with your eyes?" "Theie'B nothing the matter with my eyeV he said, with still further subdued resentment. "Theie to be with, youis, though. They're remarkably in- j quisitive this e\emng/' " You don't drink,'" she said. " No, you ■were alw a> s too wide-awake for that. What have you been doing ?" He was both impatient and angry ; but did not dare to show it. He muttered something in an apologetic way of hi* having suffered severely from toothache of late, and of his having tried chloral to piocure him a little rest. He did not choose to tell her that it was the sleeple*s nights of agony and remorse following his mother's death that had dri\ en him to this dangerous rcsouice. "Then >ou'd better stop," Mrs Fairservice said, plainly. "If you and I are going to do anything together you'll want a level head. 1 suppose you understand ?" " Don't you be afraid," he said. "I can't see how an attack of toothache is going to interfere." " Come, sit down, and tell me how your affairs are," .>he said, in a friendly fashion, bi (still regarding him w ith a watchful eye. 'At any rate, you are in London— that's a nopeful sign. Got everything squared up yet? Let me see. who was it who was coming in as peace-maker ?" 44 Oh, lam all right," he said, with an assumption of easy confidence. "That is to Bay, everything wants a little time ; but I pee how it is to be managed. You mean Raby. No thanks to him. No ; he played me a shabby trick, though Johnny Russell Hwears it was only carelessness or indifference. Well, it does not matter much, Russell hao turned out a brick. And yet it does not seem such a great deal for a follow with all hi.i nyney to hold out a helping hand." " You .see, Master Fred, that depends," Mrs Fail-service remaiked, coolly. "One does not like in any ca«e to throw good money after bad. I am glad your young friend thinks better of your prospects. What's hw little game ?" "I don't know what you mean," he said. " Why, what is his reason for coming foiward in this magnanimous way, and hauling you out of the ditch ? It isn't often done. What is his inducement?" "Well, 1 call it pure good-fellowish — friendship if you like." She shook her head. "No,"' she said, with a smile. "That won't do. That's too thin. Or else he's an awful softie." " Women's views of friendship may be different from men's," he said. "I don't know. However, it does not matter. The fact remains that I hope, with Jack Russell's help, to have everything fair and square in a very short time. And now the question, id — what about Bernard?" It was curious to notice the sharp and sudden alteration of her look. She had been quite pleasant and debonnaire ; even her senning of his appearance was not unfriendly ; her cynical confidences were ufcteied in perfect good-nature. But the mere mention of Bernard's name sufficed to change that in an instant. When next she spoke there was a baleful fire in her eye*?, and her mouth was drawn and hard. "I had half-forgotten," she said, with a kind of laugh. "Seeing you so smart, I fancied you had come to take me to the theatre. I had almost forgotten Mr Bernard. Ono will forget one's best friends sometimes. " .She went to the sideboard, opened a drawer, took out a photograph, and, bringing it back, threw it oa tho table befoie foster. " There, do you know who that is ?" she .^aid, \v ith another ironical laugh. It was a portrait of a thin, wizened, pre-maturely-old-looking young man, who was dressed as if he was going to a wedding, with a large "button-hole" in his frockcoat. " Well, you might call him a swell, now, if you like," Foster said. " Bought this out of a shop window I suppose ? You see what it is to be famous. Cabinet Ministers, Archbishops, and jockeys ; I suppose Joe Cantly was in oxcollent company." " You may suppose anything you like," she retorted, "but don't you imagine I bought that out of any shop window. Oh, no, that is a present from Mr Joe himself. And that is the footing we are on." " You've seer, him ?" he said quickly. <f Very much," was the collected answer. "Charlie Bernard was over at Kedcar. Joe was quite pleased to see an old friend. And you bhould have heard him swear on his honour as a gentleman— his honour ns a gentleman — that not a living soul should know I had spoken to him. Now what *do, you feuppose a jockey's ' honour as a gentleman ' is> .woitU 1 Can you put a price on it?,No 1 ; 1 don't want to say anything against the young man ; he was very friendly with me, J'cty gialeiul ; I believe I could biing tears to hib eyes by appealing to his noble sentiments. Wouldn't you like to gee that ? £ -should. Fancy a jock with tears in his eyes^-his hand clasped on his heart "- " Yes, bub did he say anything ?" Foster interrupted. " Yes," Bho said, slowly, "he told mo hat the rumours they have been putting.

about that Jackson will never be able to bring Roscrawn thoroughly bound to the post are all gammon. The horse hn« lit t\a a fiddle. That might bo a good thine; for you, oh ? But I suppose you're not doing much bu&ine&s with the poncillers at present." " You know that is not what I a^kecl you," he said peevishly. "Wei!," she paid "you and I must understand each other, Master Fred. I should want to see you in a rather more secure position beforo chancing anything. How much time do you want? I confess 1 am in no groat hurry. If Igo for Charlio Bernard at all, it will be a thorough thing, I can tell you ; and I can bide my time. Indeed, there's* nothing elso to bu dono at present. With Unodwood, Brighton, and Lewes over, there's nothing* worth mentioning now till the Leger — except the Ebor Handicap, and Cantloy say.s that Bernard ha sno great taith in Rod Manual. " He's not going to back lied Manual?" Foster exclaimed— -but this was ically intended to give her the notion that information of the kind w;t« becoming valuable to him. "To no great extent, anyway, if tho immaculate Joe i& to be believed. >So that's not to bo thought of. No, no ; as I say, I'm going to tako my time ; Joe and I arc far, far, from beinu sufliciently friendly as yet; and as for you— you're no use to me as you are " It was plain-speaking : but he did not wince. " You want time for yourself. (Uvo me the same," ho said ; and then he added : "I suppose j'ou have some engagement for this evening ?" "IV Not I. I only came to town this morning," " You spoke of the theatre," ho said, rather nervously. " What do you say, now, to coming and dining with me at a restaurant, and then I will send up a commissionaire to one of the Bond-street agencies to secure a box." She was inclined to look upon this as a piece of bravado ; but guessod that perhaps he had fallen in with a little money somewhet c. And he had ; tor tho fifty pounds had somewhat unexpectedly arrived from Buckinghamshire ; and Foster was determined to make this go as far possible in showing evidence of hi.s bettering condition. How much would Mrs Fair-service imagine lay behind that, little otter of a dinner and a box at the theatre ? " No, we'll divide that programme into two halves," she s-aid. "5 ou may go and see about the box now : I will order a bit ot dinner for us here. What o'clock is it ?" Perhaps this was sarcasm ; she could sec that his watch pocket was empty. " I ha\e left my watch at home," he said. "But I should fancy it must bo close on six." "Then go and get tho box," she said. "And I will order dinner for 6.30. We may as well see the farce, if there is one ; and" I have good, healthy, old-fashioned tastes." Now, not only did Mr Foster go and secure for himself an expensne box at one of the best theatres, but also he went round by Covenfc Garden and purchased for Mrs Fair&ervieo a very beautiful bouquet. He himself carried it back with him to the hotel ; and, when he presented it, there was no apparent cynicism in the smile of thanks with which she received it. Perhaps she was a libtle bit impressed by this display of afllucnce, despite her habitual.shrewdness. At all events, here he wan in London ; and with so little fear of being laid by the heefc, or otherwise interfered H-ith, that he was proposing to go to a public theatre. Indeed, as they sat at dinner, she became much more frank with him about her relations with Cantly, and her plans for working upon these. Once or twice, too, she seemed to imply that she was counting on his — that is, upon Foster's— confederacy ; and so anxious was he to assure her of his being a person worthy of trust that he would not, at first, touch a drop of wine. " What's up now? ' she said, when ho refused. " I don't wish to provoke any more complimentary remarks,' 1 he answered. " Oh, about the look of your eyes ?" she said. "If it comes to that, I would sooner see you drinking wine than drugging yourself with chloral. How long havo you been at it ?" "How long have I been at it?" he re peated, " How long does a lit of toothache last ? About a century, I suppose ?" "■ Well, it must have baen a pretty long fit to have altered your appearance so," she said, shrewdly. "I fancied you looked rather white about the gills when we met at Scarborough. And that's not like you. You used to keep your3elf in pretty fit condition." " I am as well as ever I was in my life," he said, bluntly. "And I will take some wine — I would rather do that than bo picked to pieces." " Oh, I didn't mean to offend,' 1 she said good-naturedly. "It was only a little friendly inquiry. And by the way, Master Fred, it has occurred to me that, in view of certain possibilities in the futuie, it would be as well for you and me not to be seen together at that theatre to-night. One or other of us must keep in a safo corner in the box." "I quite agree with you," ho said, quickly. " And as I haven't evening dress on, I'll keep in the background. In due course of time Mrs Fairservice's carriage was summoned, and they drove to the theatre, where, if he remained discreetly withdrawn from the public gaze, she was very much en evidence indeed, with her opera glass, and fan, and bouquet. It is to be feared that he did, not pay great heed to the performances that followed. He had learned a good deal that evening. It was abundantly clear that, whoever might help him oizfc of his present straits, that person was not Mrs Fairservice. Further than that, it was just as clear that she would have him present a pecuniary clean bill of health before accepting him as her coadjutor. On the other hand, she still seenied to count on his assistance ; there was Borne little time yet in which to prove himself eligible for the honourable post ; and the more he studied the possibilities of the scheme she was planning, the more he saw what a splendid coup it would prove for himself, if properly managed. But in the meanwhile the paramount need was money. Money must be got at all or any hazards — if only to stay the mouths of the wolves who were hunting him down. When he had safely escorted Mrs Fairservice back to the hotel, and made an appointment to see her that day week, he walked up Regent-street to the Rochambeau Club, and asked if Mr John Russell were within. The Rochambeau Club was a small club, of somewhat shady reputation, and chiefly devoted to baccarat, I e'earte', poker, and billiards.. At this hour — [ a, little elpven-rit eeemed deserted : i looking through the gU^ss, panels of the inners doors, 1 Foster could see one or ,two young men dawdling about, in evening dr.es* >and crush-hats, * arid* apparently just arrived from the theatre. However, one of these did happen to be Mr Johnny- Rusnell, who, when summoned i by the waiter, came leisurely along into the outer hull, chewing a tooth-pick, and look' ing at once surprised and amused. " Well, this i« a fair piece of bluff, this ie," he said.

"I had to chance it — there was no help for ib," was Foster's answer. I " No, no," the Ilabby and white-cheeked young man said, facetiously, " I can hardly i'bolieveit. What do you hold in your hand ? Three aces and a pair I'll bo bound. Or a straight flush ? You ye got something 1 to show." ; " [ wish I had," Fostor said bitterly. " I've como to town fco ask you to do for mo what llaby sneaked out of. A shabbier (rick was never played. Your excuses for him only make ifc worso ; for ho never need ! have undertaken it at all, if he didn't mean |il." " Have a drink," said Mr Rus&ell, coolly. 1 "That is one of tho advantages of a proprietary club ; you can have anything 1 , at any time, and for any body, that will put a penny in the manager's pocket. Or a bib of supper ? The fellows haven't como in yet ; there's nothing doing." '• No, I would rather not go into the club." Russell laughed. : "The ctnalior in hiding— good .subject for a picture." Fostor considered the pleasantry rather ill-timed ; but was glad enough to lind Johnn> Rusbcll in good humour. " Come out for a bit ot a stioll," he said. '• We can talk without lisk of being ovcrhcaid." Ru&sell pvit on a light overcoat, and to gothor they wont out : tlio dusky thorough tares mound Hanover Square gave them ample opportunity of uninterrupted conversation. " Aro you going to stand my friend, Jack t" was Foster's plain question. "To what tune?" was tho equally plain answ or. " Well, if you will lend mo L'3oo— if I can show ib, I can put my baud on another t200 ; and that together surely .should pacify them in the meantime - — ' " £300 !" tho other said, in less friendly fashion. " Why, Raby never suggested anything so much as that." "No, becaufjO he didn't know what a chance I had," Fostor said, eagerly. "He thought it was merely to put me on my legs again. But ib isn't that. I daren't tell you what tho chance is— but it's a very big thing " " Oh, yes it's always that, 11 the younger man said, evidently disliking the whole situation. "And perhaps it is a good chance. But, you know, Foster, 1 don't quite see why I should pay in order to let you i\t\\ c another gamble. "' "It isn't gambling at all!" Foster protested — and he was earnest enough on this occasion—" it is giving mo a helping hand to let me get my head above water — and just v hen there is a fresh start offered me. Besides, man, you will be paid — every fat thing." "It's easy to say that," tho other grumbled. " Oh, but this time it really is all right. As soon as Sir Anthony Zembra comes back from Antwerp my wife is going to him to get ln'm to increase her allowance — there's the grandßon to bo considered, you see— and out of that increase she will pay you back the whole of the £300, if you only give her time. I need not appear in it at all. The instalments — monthly or quarterly, as you please— will be forwarded by her. It is as safo as the Bank !" "How do you know that Sir Anthony will give your wife what she asks?" the other said, still suspicious. " Why, ho's bound to ! But I'll tell you what— wait and see. lam content to abide by the result." ' ' Who is to let me know ?" Johnny Russell said, rather coldly. Thi.t was so plain an intimation that Foster's word might not bo considered as all-sufficient, that for a second or two ho was rather at a loss. But presently he said: " Why, it's xery simple. Will you be content with this? If my wife writes to you and says she is in a position to pay you so much a quarter and will do so, will that satisfy you ?" " Yes, certainty." " And you will let me have the money ?'* " Yes." " It's a bargain, then," Foster said, with evident relief. "Mind you, old fellow, I haven't said much about gratitude and all that, but I don't forget such things. It's when a fellow is down that he feels them most. Come," he said, presently, " there's a public-house down there. Let's have a brandy and soda on the strength of this. I've been at the theatre this evening — with a Mrs Fairservice — and doing propriety. I should like a drink." " Public-house bandy," said Johnny Russell, rather gloomily. " Why didn't you have ib at the Club ?" " Oh, it's all the same — its all corn and potato spirit," Foster said, cheerfully. "Ifc will be quite a new sensation for me to stand treat at a counter — a remembrance of old days, when you had got hold of thirsty bookie and wanted him to give you something like Christian prices. The worst of these places is that these spirits are so diluted that you can hardly taste them ; tho only way i? to have a double dose." So Foster and his friend went into the Private Bar and had their drink there— though Johnny Russell did not Seem to like tho look of this unfamiliar place. " And how long are you going to face it out in London ?" the latter asked. " It's pretty cheeky, you know." " Yes, I believe you," Foster said — to whom a deep draught of the brown brandy and soda-water seemed to have imparted a new animation. "Bub I am quite aware that tho atmosphere of the Metropolis> of England is much too sultry for my constitution ; I'm off to-morrow or next day. 1 shall vanish liko a ghost — until I hear it's all right about tho £300 ; and then J'll get you £200 ; and give you a list of people— the Jennings, and Jim Peame, and,a lob of them, and you'll have to do your best to bring them to reason. I know you will do ib far better than Raby. They would suspect him. Hos too keen a file all the way round. But they must know you have nothing to gain ; shan't we have a jolly little dinnor, old man, when I can come back clear and safe — at the Bristol, oh ?—? — the old room ? " There was a kind of incoherence about his talk and manner, though fchat could hardly be attributed to drink, for he had ! taken very little wine at dinnor, and had since touched nothing till now. " Where are you off to, then ?" his companion said. ' " Oh, I'll find some safe quarters somewhere — where I can see a morning gallop or two. Nob in Yorkshire, though, I hope; just you believe me, I had a baddish time of ib when I was there. I never was so , down on my luck " . "You're not looking very well after it, . any way," Russell'said, regarding him wjfch hw pale, \ift6k-lusfcro eyes, j" No; by Jove, you're nob* looking up>to tho mark.'"* " Neither, would you pel I daresay," j Foster rejoined, with simulatedUeheerfulnesa. " Well, old man, ydu're off back to j the Club, I suppose, I'm going down home to try ftitd get some sleep. I've had some bad nights lately." Outside the public-house there were a few final words of undertaking and direc-. tion, and then they parted, and went their novefal ways.