2i6 A Lucky Mistake 



bank, and both investments had lately turned out 

 melanchol}^ failures. He had met demands by raising 

 more money on his estate. Still further calls were made 

 upon him, and now, with a balance of some 1,400L at his 

 bank, he was obliged to find the 8,000Z. mentioned in the 

 course of a few days. The dash referred to seemed to 

 him the only means of extrication. If it came off, well 

 and good ; present trouble would be averted, there was 

 hope that both the mine and the bank might ' come 

 right,' or at any rate get a great deal better than they 

 were, and he might again live his life in England. If 

 not, if Koquelaure were beaten, there was nothing for it 

 but the sale of the Towers, realisation of his shares — if 

 they fetched anything — and a start for a new career in 

 the Colonies on the little surplus that could be scraped 

 together. 



Cranleigh was staying with his friend for the meeting ; 

 they had just returned, and next day, when the Mead- 

 shire Handicap was run, Ashdown's fate was to be de- 

 cided 



'Just about time to dress, isn't it ? ' Cranleigh said, 

 throwing away the end of his cigarette. ' I wish I 

 could come back with you to-morrow and drink the 

 horse's health if he wins ; but you'll be cheery enough if 

 he doesn't disappoint us ! I should think Smith ought 

 to get you an average of tens, or close to it. I shall have 

 300/. on myself, and he might as well do the lot, I should 

 think. If anyone else is inquiring about the horse it 

 will interfere with his plans. You said you were going 

 to wire, didn't you ? Do you mind telling him to put on 

 300Z. more ? I shall be horribly cut up if it doesn't 

 come off, old chap, for it'll seem my fault somehow ; but 

 I certainly can't tell you anything more than you know, 



