A STRANGE BET

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8198, 31 July 1906, Page 7

A STRANGE BET

(Specially written for the Age by

Rubt Reich.)

PART ll.—Continued

How wretchedly unhappy that address made .Benny! Already he saw hiß dignities slipping away from him. Oh, what a fool he Had been to offend the power from whom these dignities were derived. 'Most gracious Highness,* he stammered, hastily, 'your wishes expressed lately are commands which I sbali oarry out with the greatest readiness.' 'Thank you, my dear baron, I expect nothing less from yon.' Here Benny's fropes once more rose. 'But,' continued the Prince, 'that does not briug me to a oomprehens ion of tbe mystery turning to Fastfoot, 'his lordship will perhaps ho pleased to explain.' His lordship bowed and commenced his tala readily. He was an aocompliahod raconteur, and made the most of every telling point in his narrative, causing the Prince much amusement in the humorous parts of the story, while designedly he excited his indignation against the financier at others. Finally he laid Benny's answer to Baron von Nix, and the transfer of sale before him 'Well, sirs,' said the Prince smilingly, after a oarefal persual of those papers, 'are you willing to let me arbitrate between you?'. Both disputantß bowed in assent. •Then I must at once give to his lordship tbe award he demands.' 'But, most gracious Highness, think, oh, consider the enormous demand 1 £10,000! I shall be ' 'Hear me, sir! Lord Fastfoot and Baron von Nix laid the foundation of yonr present wealth which is far greater thau you wish it to be though. To the latter of these gentlemen you have been ungrateful and' —with a sly twinkle in his eye—'l am afraid that gratitude is not your strong point, That von Nix'would not sit still under your very insults is only natnral, and you have only to blame yourself for the peouliar mode of revenge ho has taken; the more so that you misled him by previous offers of good-service. As to his lordship: He is only doing, what you yourself do every day—be is driving a hard bargain—yet, not so hard a one as I would, were I in his plaoe. £IO,OOO are a mere bagatelle to you. There is another aspect of this funny business that seems to have wholly escaped you - possibility of the whole matter, becoming known to the public That would indeed be a calamnity to you. What government could employ an agent,' with a sly smile, 'of whom it could justly be said that he does not own tbe nose in his faoe. And finally think of 1-Jis Majesty's displeasure at the ridicule which in a measure would reflect from you to his Government!" That settled the matter. There was only one way out of the fix, and Benny took it. He surrendered on all points. Strange to say, as soon aa he bad made up his mind to yield, he began to feel quite happy again. It is true that he had by one stroke of his pen, signed away £IO,OOO, and that the Princes and Fastfoot's share inthe G.Sp. would reduce, his profits by £20,000 more; on the other hand, he had now a nose which wholly and solely belonged tu himself; he was not only a Baron but had also H.R.H. promises of further support, and advancement. Moreover, he had the Prince's and Lord's word that the whole transaction should remain a secret even the Nixe's silence being pledged by both. So, on the whole, Benny/ was satisfied with the outcome of matters. As he still trembled from tbe effeofc of his late excitement, he asked the Royal permission to withdraw, drove home, burned the compromising papers, and was asleep ere his wife returned from the palace, full of the laudatory terms in which H.R.H. had publicly announced tbe elevation of bis financial adviser to the high rank of Baron of tbe Realm, and of his regret at the early retiremeat of that hard-working and overworked gentleman. H.R.H. was in high spirits. After the close of the festival he could not part from his dear Lord, without much merriment, and many facetious remarks oouoerning the "Strange Bet" and its stranger consequences. His Lordship returned witb flying oolours to Nixbury, and in due time Clara and Lord Fastfoot were married. Prince Hoch graced the wedding with his presence and, well knowing that the G.Sp. would turn oat trumps, presented the blushing bride with a beautiful bracelet. Lord Fastfoot is now the .Earl of Steadfast, there are now no mortgages on his estate, and his bank balance is highly satisfactory. ( He is known to be a devoted husband, and loving father; is highly esteemed by his friends and loved by his tenants, and in the House of Lords he causes a sensation of delight whenever he rfces to address that august assembly. He is said to be the only one there, that can raise a wholesome laugh. Quite lately the Earl was seen to nass into St. James' Olub, arm in arm witb Count von Benjamin, who is at present in London, engaged on a confidential mission from his Government to the Rothschilds. THE END.