MY EXPECTED CHEQUE 



along, and in due course my cheque which was late 

 would arrive. Here was the material benefit to be 

 derived ; but I could not afford to enter upon any 

 expressions of opinion which might " come back " on 

 me. So, pushing the letter aside, I decided that it were 

 better to sleep on the situation at all events. A little 

 later in the morning I sent a formal acknowledgment, 

 with just an added remark that I had " always found 

 So-and-so a very straightforward man." As regards 

 the direct query I did not give an answer, knowing 

 full well that a lot of layers have the temptation of 

 " mixing it " — that is, backing and laying. The letter 

 had no sooner been stamped and despatched than the 

 belated cheque arrived. Possibly the sportsmen in 

 question will notice this, but I have disclosed no names, 

 and the whole matter may be one of conjecture. At 

 all events, no confidences have been broken. 



283 



