28o MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



doubt that the same words in a woman's mouth would not 

 have the same effect. As it is, I am inclined to think we 

 have helped to make two sportsmen." 



'* Not a doubt of it," Jack said heartily. " I wonder if you 

 will succeed with Majendie." 



'* I'm afraid he is what dad calls a ' wrong 'un,' Mr. Mor- 

 gan. Those youths told me that they (they never gave 

 away any one else) were responsible for three pounds, and 

 Bill Hart, you remember, declared he had only received ten 

 shillings, and had the promise of a sovereign if he got to the 

 river." 



" Um ! very likely ; but the mention of the man reminds 

 me of your cousin, Bickersdyke. I have just had a visit from 

 him ; he is naturally rather a big man after to-day." 



" Was he in the conspiracy, too ? " 



" No, I don't think he knew anything about it ; his in- 

 terest in the day's proceedings centred in your aunt, and 

 when he saw she took no part beyond acting as master, he 

 evidently considered it to be his turn to play, so he started 

 by calling on me to ask what I was going to do." 



" And what did you say, Mr. Morgan ? It was rather a 

 difficult question to answer, was it not ? " 



" I should have liked to say a good many things, for he 

 was rather aggressive ; however, I contented myself by put- 

 ting things before him in a new light, and telling him he 

 was quite mistaken in the view he took, that though there 

 were two Lavinias, there really was only one — I mean, of 

 course, capable of doing the work, and that no doubt your 

 uncle knew it. Bickersdyke is going to take counsel's 

 opinion." 



"Have you any idea what the result will be?" Lavvy 

 asked anxiously. 



" In the first place, we shall gain time. Counsel's opinion 

 may be anything, it won't commit itself either way, and very 

 possibly will leave a sort of pay your money and take your 

 choice state of things." Jack looked round the room. *' I feel 

 sure that somewhere here is the key to the whole matter. 



