THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 207 



" Why, let me see," said Mr. Sharpe (placing his hand 

 over his eyes, and resting his elbow on the table) : " your 

 father, sir, you say, is fifty-two years old ; he may live 

 another fifty-two years. Then (removing his hand from 

 his eyes, and looking at our hero) your father, sir, is, I 

 understand, a very regular liver, entering but little into 

 the dissipation of this town ; on the contrary, I believe he 

 almost altogether lives in the country, devoting himself to 

 hunting, agriculture, and such-like health-giving pursuits. 

 Then, what a fine, noble-looking man he is ! I think, Mr. 

 Raby, he'll hold for a long tug." 



" 1 hope he may," replied Frank ; " but tell me at once 

 what you expect for 2000?" 



" Certainly not less than 5000, all circumstances con- 

 sidered." 



" Then be it so ; when can I have the money ? " 



" In a fortnight from this day ; you shall hear from me 

 within that time, to appoint the day and hour in which 

 the money will be forthcoming. All, then, that I have to 

 add is, a request that Mr. Thornton may be an attesting 

 witness to the bond, or, indeed, any other gentleman who 

 is known to both parties, merely to identify the person of 

 Mr. Raby, who is, of course, a stranger to me." 



" Why, to be sure, we are both strangers to you, Mr. 

 Sharpe," said Goodall ; " but there can be no objection to 

 call upon my friend Thornton, on whom I can depend for 

 not talking about this affair, which, of course, Mr. Raby 

 wishes to be kept a secret." 



"Oh, sir," said Mr. Sharpe, with a small smile, "we 

 never talk of these matters ; we should be cutting our own 

 throats." And so exeuiit omnes. 



" Well, Raby," said Lord Dauntley to our hero, the first 

 time they met after this visit to Mr. Sharpe, " how did 

 you get on with the money-lender ? What are you to give 

 for your 2000 ? " 



" What do you think ? " was the reply. 



" I am no judge of such things," answered his Lordship, 

 "as my father died when I was two years old. All I 

 know is, you must mind what you are at ; for a friend of 

 mine was nicely humbugged by one of these advertising 

 money-lenders. He was absolutely obliged to take twelve 

 dozen gross of cotton stockings, and a lot of vulgar plate, 

 which he did not want, for more than half the sum 

 promised him." 



