Eleventh] Routledge's Railway Library Advertiser. [Issue.
ASPINALL'S
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Eleventh] Routledge's Railway Library Advertiser. [Issue.
WORK IS OUR
"Show me what you can do, and / will show you what you are"
Lord Stanley (now Earl of Derby), in an address, to the Students of Glasgow, said:
" As Work is our Life, show me what you can do, and I will show you what you are."
"WHO ARE THE HAPPY, WHO ARE THE FREE?
YOU TELL ME, AND I'LL TELL THEE.
Those who have tongues that never lie,
Truth on the lip, truth in the eye,
To Friend or to Foe,
To all above, and to all below;
THESE ARE THE HAPPY, THESE ARE THE FREE,
SO MAY IT BE WITH THEE AND ME."
What higher aim can man attain than conquest
over human pain?
"HR AWING AN OVERDRAFT ON THE
U BANK OF LIFE,—Late Hours, Fagged,
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too Rich Food, Alcoholic Drink, Gouty, Rheu-
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prepared oniyaeaaios •• w Ban wares. London, S.E., by J. c. Eno.
Eleventh]
Routledge's Railway Library Advertiser.
[Issue.
MELLIN'S
INFANTS
AND
INVALIDS.
"Wood's Hotel,
" Grahamstown, S. Africa,
•'1st Dec., 1R90.
" G. mellin, Esq.
" Dear Sir,—X have much
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MELLIN'S EMULSION
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Samples, Pamphlet, and Prospectus Post Free on Application to
G. MELLIN, Marlboro' Works, Peckham, London, S.E.
100,000, S. & B. 1/5/93,
BANKER AND BROKER
BY
NAT. GOULD
'VERAX'
Author of "The Double Event," "Running It Off," "Jockey Jack," etc.
LONDON
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, Limited
Broadway, Ludgate Hill
MANCHESTER AND NEW YORK
1893
ROUTLEDGE'S SPORTING NOVELS.
—o—
Crown 81>o. Picture Boards.
RUNNING IT OFF. By Nat Gould.
A PINK WEDDING. By R. Mounteney-Jeph-
son.
BLAIR ATHOL. By Blinkhoolie.
BEATEN ON THE POST. By J. P. Wheeldon.
THE TALE OF A HORSE. By the Author of
' Blair Athol.'
LIFE OF JOHN MYTTON. By Nimrod. With
a Memoir of the Author.
JORROCK'S JAUNTS AND JOLLITIES.
THE TOMMIEBEG SHOOTINGS; or, A Moor
in Scotland. By Thomas Jeans. With Illustra-
tions.
THE DOUBLE EVENT. A Tale of the Melbourne
Cup. By Nat Gould.
TOO FAST TO LAST. By John Mills.
WON IN A CANTER. By Old Calabar.
NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR.
THE YOUNG SQUIRE. By ' Borderer.'
VERY LONG ODDS. By the Author of ' Kissing-
Cup's Race.'
JOCKEY JACK. By Nat Gould.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER FAQB
I.—Banker 5
II.—Broker 17
III.—Musketry's Quarters . . .26
IV.—Good Advice 38
V.—The ".Flora" .... 48
VI—Loo Key's Den .... 60
VII.—The Trainer's Threat ... 72
VIII.—A Sensation 83
IX.—King Willie's Cave ... 94
X.—Ward Consults Loo Key . .106
XI.—An Unpopular Win . . .119
XII.—A Patient Sufferer . . .131
XIII.—Malua's Cup 144
XIV.—Looking Backwards . . .156
4 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER FAG*
XV.—Pursuer and Pursued . . .166
XVI.—Captured 176
XVII.—Sentenced . . . . . 188
XVIII.—The Breath of Scandal . . 197
XIX.—A Woman's Hate . . . .203
XX.—Husband and Wife . . . -212
XXI.—Lilian's Lover . . . . 221
XXII—Bad Company 229
XXIII.—A Quarrel 239
XXIV.—The Steeplechase. . . . 248
XXV.—The Inquest 257
XXVI.—Cyril Gets Another Chance . 266
XXVII.—Ward Meets Mark Halberd . 275
XXVIII—Phil Baxter's Reward . . 282
BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER I.
BANKER.
OVERLOOKING the beautiful harbour of Port Jack-
son stands a pretty bijou villa residence, commanding
some of the most picturesque scenes of this lovely
spot, perhaps unsurpassed for variety and charm in the
world. As far as the eyes can reach are to be seen
numerous small bays hidden away in obscure nooks and
corners, which unexplored give but a faint idea of the
beauties they contain. Trees and dense masses of
wild bush wood slope gradually down almost to the
water's edge in uneven broken growth.
The harbour itself is alive with yachts and pleasure
boats of all shapes and sizes, and the white sails
dancing in the sunlight, dashing down and almost
tipping the rippling waters, then rising again and
shaking away the sparkling drops in showers like
diamonds, remind one of the graceful movements of
the gull chasing behind the craft.
There are men o' war stationed in Farm Cove
looking severe and stern, suggestive of war in the
midst of peace.
6 BANKER AND BROKER*
The ferry boats are crowded with passengers,
young and old, anxious to get a breath of fresh air
after a week of stifling work in the hot dusty city.
How they welcome the breeze as it fans their cheeks,
bringing back the bloom of health, and making life
seem better and brighter. The spray dashes from
the prow, and on either side white soapy froth floats
away tailing off in the steamer's wake until it is lost
in the distance.
A faint sound of music can be heard as the Manly
boat passes on its way to that favourite watering-
place. How much sweeter and more melodious
music sounds on the water. Even a street band seems
to have an untold charm, and the playing of Italian
wanderers on the harp and violin is listened to with
pleasure. Everybody seemed happy.
Why should they not be so ? The glorious sun
was shining, sending down warm rays to temper the
sea breeze, and everything was looking its loveliest.
It was a typical Sunday in sunny New South Wales.
Sunday, the day for innocent enjoyment; the day to
recruit health for the coming week's work ; a rest
day in the proper sense of the word; a day made for
man, not man made for the day. Care was banished
for twenty-four hours, and trials and troubles
inherent to ordinary everyday life were all for-
gotten.
The residence mentioned at the commencement of
this chapter had a lawn in front sloping to the water's
edge. It gradually came down in terraces. On the
first terrace a lawn tennis ground was laid out.
Then descending half-a-dozen steps another terrace.
BANKER.
7
with flower beds radiant with gay colours known only
in their fullest beauty in this favoured land.
The third terrace led down to the beach, where a
bathing-house and boat-shed were erected.
It was a residence the possession of which any man
might have been pardoned for desiring.
The house itself was somewhat rustic in design,
and over the trellis work climbed passion trees, con-
volvuluses, and the sweet-scented jasmine. Lounging
chairs were plentifully supplied on the terraces and
various parts of the grounds.
Commanding as it did such a magnificent view, no
wonder less fortunate people envied the owner such a
snug retreat.
And who was the owner of this charming spot ?
This bright sunny Sunday morning he is standing
on the highest terrace and looking over the harbour
now alive with yachts.
He is a handsome, well-built man, close upon six
feet high. A fine forehead, dark keen eyes, a massive
dark moustache, and hair of the same hue. A well-
knit figure denoting an athlete of no mean powers.
A man perhaps forty or forty-five years of age,
maybe a year or two more. He has on a loose
tennis coat over a white flannel shirt and flannel
trousers. He looks cool and comfortable; a man
taking the good things of life easily and as a matter
of course. A good judge of character would perhaps
say there was a lack of firmness in the man's face,
indecision, a trace of good nature even to a fault,
and an indolent disposition, which required rousing
before his better qualities were shown to advantage.
8 BANKER AND BROKER.
A man, too ready to trust undesirable people, who
called themselves friends, and gloss over the faults
and failings of others to his own disadvantage.
And yet his position in life would seem to indicate
that he was the exact opposite of all this. To hold
such a position he must bear a character for commer-
cial honesty beyond reproach. He must be shrewd,
cautious, and yet just in all his dealings. His
knowledge of the world must be thorough, and he must
have firmness and stability more than ordinarily falls
to the lot of men.
The man standing on the terrace of " Bellevue,"
such was the name of the house, was Cyril Harcourt
Melrose, head manager of the Federated Bank of
United Australasia, Sydney.
No man was better known in New South Wales
than Cyril Melrose.
His position was unique, for he had, such was the
confidence reposed in him by the Directorate, almost
complete control of the immense business of the
bank.
The great success of the bank was due to his
energy, perseverance, and foresight. He seemed to
know how to speculate, and when to speculate.
Whatever he touched turned out well, and his ad-
vances were made with great judgment. Cyril
Melrose had been connected with banks and banking
business ever since he left college. He had a
natural aptitude for banking, which is absolutely
necessary to acquire the highest position in bankdom.
His rise was rapid, and step by step he moved up the
ladder until he now stood on the topmost rung.
BANKER.
9
Seven years ago he was unanimously appointed by
the directors head manager of the Federated Bank of
United Australasia, and they had no reason to
regret their choice.
Since Cyril Melrose had been at the helm he had
steered the bank safely through a disastrous land
boom, a period of depression among the squatters,
and a panic on the Stock Exchange. He advanced
money with a free hand when other banks hesitated.
Squatters, hard pressed, after vainly trying their
own banks, went to Cyril Melrose.
He was building up a great banking institution,
he had unlimited capital almost at his command,
and he saw his opportunity for gaining new
customers.
Many a squatter had he helped in the hour of need
with a timely loan on not too hard terms, until it
became a common saying among them, " Refused an
advance have they ? Well, go to Melrose, you'll get it
there."
It was "go to Melrose," not "go to the Federated
Bank of United Australasia."
The bank was lost sight of in the identity of
Melrose, and Cyril Melrose was almost recognised as
the bank.
When good times came again, and the squatters
pulled round with their great "clips" and abundance
of cattle, they did not forget Cyril Melrose, and many
a heavy account was transferred to the bank of which
he was the manager.
The directors voted him a large increase of salary,
and, as a special mark of their appreciation, presented
10 BANKER AND BROKER.
him with a magnificent gold watch and chain and a
handsome silver candelabra.
Such a man was Cyril Harcourt Melrose, as he
stood quietly smoking his cigar at Bellevue, con-
templating the beautiful panorama mapped out before
him.
Surely such a man ought to be happy ! What more
could he desire ?
" What are you thinking about, Cyril ?"
A sweet woman's voice, a fair hand gently placed
on his arm, and a beautiful face gazing anxiously
into his.
The banker looked fondly at his wife, and stooping
down kissed her.
Flora Melrose loved her husband dearly, so every-
one said. She must have been ten years his junior.
Their married life had passed quickly. It seemed so
far away to her that time when Flora Macdonald
stood at the altar with Cyril Melrose.
They had two children, Rupert and Lilian, the boy
thirteen, the girl eleven. Bright, merry, good-
natured children, the lad a miniature of his father, the
girl promising the beauty of her mother.
Flora Melrose was dressed in a light morning
gown, and with the straw sun hat shading her fair
face she looked quite young and childlike.
" What am I thinking about, Flora ? Well, I'm
meditating on the sin of these good people desecrating
the Sabbath," he said, smiling, as he waved his hand in
the direction of the myriads of boats on the harbour.
" They are not desecrating the Sabbath, Cyril.
This is the day God has given us all for recreation.
BANKER.
Surely there can be no desecration in using it to
admire his handiwork, and mutely thank him for
giving us life to enjoy it. How beautiful it all is,"
she said, as she looked at the familiar scene which
never lost any of its charm for her by a too close
acquaintanceship.
"I was only joking, Flo," said Cyril Melrose. "I
quite agree with all you say. Without Sunday we
should be a miserable humdrum lot of slaves. Hullo,
Rupert, what the deuce are you tearing down the
lawn in that fashion for? You'll come to grief one
of these days."
A healthy, good-looking lad was bounding down
the terraces followed by a collie dog, which danced
and frisked around him in delight.
" Off to get the boat out, father. Lil's going for a
row with me."
Lilian Melrose, a sedate little maid, came slowly
down the lawn to her parents.
" Mind Rupert does not upset you, Lil," said her
father.
"He nearly managed it the other day. However,
I scolded him well, and he promised to take more
care of me. Is Taff going, I wonder? "
Taff was the collie dog, and generally accompanied
the children on their harbour excursions. Taff on
one occasion had saved Miss Lil from drifting out of
her depth when she foolishly got out of the bathing
enclosure, and was a dog of much consequence in the
family.
" Taff will take quite as much care of you as
Rupert," said her mother, with a fond smile. " What
i2 BANKER AND BROKER.
a handsome pair they are, Cyril," she said, as
with loving eyes she watched them getting into
the boat.
Both waved their hands, then Rupert dipped the
oars and the boat glided away, with Taff sedately
sitting in the stern, much to the detriment of the
steering gear.
" Happy as the day is long," said Cyril, and sighed.
" Something is wrong with you, CyriJ, I'm sure,"
said his wife, "you don't often sigh."
" Business cares, my dear. They will intrude,
even on Sundays."
Was it business cares ?
"Banish them then. Surely you can forget that
horrid bank for one day in the week," she said, and
then added suddenly, " It was not about her you were
thinking, you did not sigh for her"
" Flora, don't be foolish. Have I not told you a
thousand times she never even enters my thoughts?
That horrid bank has been a pretty good friend to us,
Flo," he added. " Don't call the bank names. It's
bad luck, you know."
"Is it, you superstitious man? Well then, it's the
most beautiful bank in the world," she said.
" Be strictly accurate," he replied, laughing. " It
is not beautiful by any means; it. is decidedly
plain. More the appearance of a gaol than a respect-
able receptacle for coin of the realm. A good
washing would do its face good, likewise a coat of
paint."
" What a lovely spot this is," she said, changing
the subject.
BANKER.
13
" It is indeed," he replied, "and we have to
thank the dingy old bank for that. By-the-by, Flo,
did I tell you Phil Baxter was coming up to
dinner ? "
" No," she said, and a disappointed look passed
over her face. He saw it, and she quickly added,
"But that will not make any difference, dear; we
have always a spare chair for a visitor."
" Flora, you don't like Phil Baxter," he said.
" How is it? He's not half a bad sort."
"Why I do not like him I don't know, Cyril. But
something tells me he is not to be trusted."
" Not to be trusted, Flo. Why Phil Baxter's one
of the most successful brokers on 'Change. He has
an enormous business. He's put me on to several
good things, and has brought a lot of business to the
bank. He was very fond of you once, I believe, Flo,
and no wonder either. Who wouldn't be ? " he said,
as he looked at her admiringly.
" Don't be foolish, Cyril; Philip Baxter was never
more than a mere acquaintance in my eyes, although
at one time he wished to be something more," she
said.
"That's all years ago, Flo. That wound's healed
up. Phil's a confirmed old bachelor. He says he
couldn't get the girl he wanted so he's never going
to marry at all," said Melrose.
"He may be a good business man," said Flora,
"but socially I can't say he's a success. He is too
fond of racing, Cyril, and gambling. Don't let him
lead you into that. It would never do in your posi-
tion."
14 BANKER AND BROKER.
Cyril Melrose winced. He had dabbled in horse-
racing, and even owned a couple of racers under an
assumed name.
" Racing's all right if you don't bet heavily, Flo;
and Baxter does not," he said. " I'm rather fond of
it. Of course I don't bet much; only have a fiver on
occasionally for fun."
She sighed. If Flora Melrose could have had her
wish she would never let her husband go on a race-
course. She knew in his heart he was fond of the
sport. It was his love of horses led him into it.
No man was fonder of dumb animals than Cyril
Melrose.
" I'll go in and tell Jane Mr. Baxter will be here for
dinner," she said, as she left him and went into the
house.
" What a dear little woman she is," thought Cyril.
" Had ever a fellow such a brave, true-hearted wife ?
I believe she'd go through fire and water to serve me.
And to think I was once fool enough to believe in an-
other woman. That sore rankles yet, evidently! But
she need not have cause for alarm. That folly is past
and done with. Would it had never occurred. What
a horror she's got of racing! Well, I don't wonder
at it when her father went stone broke over it and
gambled away all his spare cash, and a good deal he
couldn't spare. Baxter's put me on to one or two
good specs lately. I wonder why Flo does not like
him. Hang it all, he seems a decent sort of fellow.
His name's good on 'Change. He's one of the best
known brokers we have. By Jove! talk, or rather,
in this instance, think of the and—here he is,"
BANKER.
15
"Thank you, Melrose. I'm sorry the old gentle-
man in the person of myself should pay you a visit
on Sunday of all days in the week," said Philip
Baxter, as he shook his host's hand.
Philip Baxter was by no means such an aristocratic
looking man as Cyril Melrose, but for all that he was
a good-looking, well-set fellow. Speculating on the
Stock Exchange had made Baxter, and he was re-
puted to be a wealthy man. Cyril Melrose knew he
was fairly well off, because several of his transactions
passed through the Federated Bank.
" Have a cigar, Baxter ? " said Cyril.
He took one and lit it.
" By Jove ! Cyril, I envy you this place," he said.
" It's one of the loveliest on the harbour, and you got
it cheap."
" It was not dear, certainly," said Cyril, " and I
have never seen a place I like more."
"You're a lucky beggar, Cyril," said Baxter, almost
bitterly.
"Am I?" said Cyril, "I've had to work hard for
all my luck."
"No doubt," replied Baxter, "but you've got
your reward. A beautiful wife, fine children, lovely
residence, great position, what more do you
want ? "
"I'm pretty well contented," said Cyril. "You've
not much to grumble at though."
" Oh dear, no, of course not. A wretched old
bachelor without a decent home."
" Marry and get one," said Cyril.
" Never!" said Baxter, with a snap of his teeth.
16 BANKER AND BROKER.
Melrose knew marriage was a sore point with
Philip Baxter, so he changed the subject by saying,
"How's that colt of Ward's doing? Have you
still got a good opinion of him ? "
Baxter's eyes glistened as he said, enthusiastically,
" He's the best yearling I've seen for years. You'll
say so when you have a look at him. He gallops
about like a deer. Never saw such a fast 'un."
"Why don't you buy him?" said Cyril.
"Ward won't sell him, and, besides, I don't care
to own too many horses; it don't do in our line,"
said Baxter.
"Perhaps not," said Cyril, musingly. "What is
the horse's name, Phil?"
" Musketry. I named him. He's by Musket—
Cantiniere. Not bad, is it ? "
"Very appropriate," said Cyril. "What would
Ward take for him, do you think?"
" I'm sure he would not sell him," replied Baxter.
They went in to dinner, and as Phil Baxter shook
hands with Mrs. Melrose he thought:
"Marry, indeed; never." This is the only woman
I ever loved—aye, and love still. How beautiful she
is. And yet they say Melrose once loved another
woman."
17
CHAPTER II.
broker.
Philip Baxter was prosperous. He loved money,
but he loved still more the making of it.
There are many men like this, men who have
wealth and to spare, who yet go on toiling and slowly
adding more and more to their pile. To such men
there is pleasure in driving hard bargains, or over-
reaching their fellows by means of some pious
business fraud, for by no other word can their trans-
actions at times be called.
A wealthy Queensland squatter reputed to be
worth five or six millions sterling is reported to have
replied to an acquaintance, who twitted him with his
miserly habits, and said his heirs would soon squander
it when they came into possession of his wealth :
" If it gives them as much pleasure to spend it as
it has given me to make it I shall be satisfied."
This man made money for the mere love of the
labour required to amass it. It gave him no pangs of
conscience to think his wealth might be squandered
when he was gone. What cared he how it went so
long as he had his full mead of pleasure in making it.
Such a man was Philip Baxter. His god was
mammon. He worshipped the golden image called
wealth, and he was not over scrupulous how he
c
18 BANKER AND BROKER.
acquired it. He spent money freely, which was a
curious trait in such a character. Baxter was a born
gambler. If worth ten thousand pounds he would
have risked nine thousand without the least hesitation
in any likely speculation, keeping " the odd thousand
to start fresh" if he lost, so he would say.
Boldness was his chief characteristic on 'Change.
No man knew better how to rig the market, and
he would scent out a fall or a rise in stocks with
unerring accuracy.
A successful broker is always regarded with
respect by his confreres. Philip Baxter's pedigree
was not traceable, and for the matter of that few
people cared whether he had ancestors of either
ancient or modern lineage. He must have had
parents in the natural course of events, but no one
ever heard him allude to them. It was not even
known whether he was a Colonial, or to use a
stud-book phrase, " imported." He was fairly well
educated, but gave a studious observer the idea
that he had been self-taught.
His speculations when 'he first became a member
of the Stock Exchange were considered rash, nay,
even foolhardy.
When Phil Baxter bought up all the " Bottomless
Pit Silver-mining Company's " shares he could lay
hands on people said he was mad, and appropriately
enough hinted he was sinking his money in the ill-
named mine.
But Baxter said :
" I know what I'm doing. Have }rou any shares to
sell?"
BROKER.
19
There were generally shares to sell, and Baxter
invariably bought them.
Suddenly, without apparent warning, the " Bottom-
less Pit Silver-mining Company" came with a rush
in the market.
Up went the shares with a bound from half-a-crown
to double that amount, and in a week stood at 25s.
Then did Philip Baxter through his agents sell
" Bottomless Pit Silver-mining" shares as fast as he
could ladle them out.
When he got rid of all his scrip at the highest
marketable price, he sold scrip he had not got " to
bear," which in the language of the Exchange means
" riding for a fall." *
Strange to say when Phil Baxter sold the ™*Bottom-
less Pit Silver-mining" shares "to bear" they came
down with a rattle until they reached five shillings in
six days.
Then a discovery was made on 'Change. It began
to be mooted about that Mr. Philip Baxter was
actually " The Bottomless Pit Silver-mining Com-
pany." In fact that he ran the affair, and
had, with the aid of trusty agents in the know at
Melbourne and Adelaide, fixed up a real undiluted
"bad egg" on the astute members of the Sydney
Exchange.
There was method in his madness after all. It was
reported that Philip Baxter, Esq.—please notice the
difference—Philip Baxter, Baxter, Mr. Philip Baxter,
Philip Baxter, Esq.—had cleared a cool £20,000.
The harder he hit them the more they liked it, and
the higher Philip Baxter rose in their estimation.
C 2
BANKER AND BROKER.
Twenty thousand secured out of the Bottomless
Pit is not so bad. Many members of the various
Stock Exchanges in existence will probably get even
more than this out of the Bottomless Pit, although it
may not be in gold or silver.
From the day he worked the Bottomless Pit Silver-
mining Company off on the members of the Exchange,
plain Phil Baxter became Philip Baxter, Esq. His
opinion was much sought after. Men who had before
the event trusted their own heads, now conferred that
distinction on Baxter's head, which seemed quite
capable of bearing any amount of weight in this
direction.
The Bottomless Pit was the making of Phil Baxter,
and he gloried in it.
It became a standing joke on 'Change if a ipember
got hard hit to say :
" Poor old chap. Yes, he's got into the Bottomless
Pit."
This accursed mine was the acme of all that was
diabolical and bad. It became the recognised Stock
Exchange " swear word," and Baxter knew it and
revelled in it.
Out of the conceit and follies of men Phil Baxter
coined money. It was his prospecting ground, and
he knew every sign in it.
He had known Cyril Melrose ever since he married
Flora Macdonald, the woman he (Baxter) had wished
to make his wife.
During the years that had passed he had been on
friendly terms with Melrose, but he had rarely visited
the house, and seen but little of Flora Melrose.
BROKER.
21
Now, however, he seemed more at his ease, but
do what he would he could not forget that he had
been refused, and for Cyril Melrose.
The manager of such an important concern as The
Federated Bank of United Australasia was, in Baxter's
eyes, a man of influence, and, therefore, a man to be
cultivated.
Once when Baxter was hard pressed for a large
sum of money, Cyril Melrose advanced it him upon
slight security. It was rash, but Melrose knew his
man, and the money was repaid in full. Philip
Baxter was not a man to forget this, and he had
since transferred his account to his friend's bank.
Although Baxter was by no means a bad man as
the sequel will show, he had one great fault, envy.
He envied Cyril Melrose his wife, and he would have
given much of his wealth to possess her. Gold he
loved, and Flora Melrose he loved with a passion
that would not be quelled.
Perhaps it was some faint knowledge of this
feeling made Mrs. Melrose dislike, almost fear Philip
Baxter.
He never addressed an improper word to her,
but invariably treated her with the greatest respect.
Five years soon pass away, and so they did with
Cyril Melrose and his wife.
Rupert Melrose, the lad we saw that beautiful
Sunday morning rushing off to the boat to take his
sister fora row is now a fine young man of eighteen,
and holding, for his years, a good position in the
bank his father manages. He is a smart youth, and
one that will quickly rise in the wqrld.
22
BANKER AND BROKER.
The opinion Baxter had formed of Musketry as a
yearling had proved correct, and the horse at six
years old was better than ever he was in his life.
Alec Ward was ostensibly the owner, and the
horse raced in his name, but as a matter of fact
Cyril Melrose had bought a half-share in him.
Musketry had been entered for the Metropolitan
Stakes and the Melbourne Cup, and over two miles
he was recognised as a real nailer.
Philip Baxter knew Melrose owned a half-share in
Musketry, and he also knew what Melrose did not,
that Ward was not very particular as to his
transactions on the turf.
However, he did nor think it was any part of his
business to interfere, and Cyril Melrose was quite
capable of taking care of himself.
The Federated Bank of United Australasia did an
enormous business, and the directors placed more
confidence every year in their manager.
Cyril Melrose lived in great style. He kept
carriages, he kept racehorses. His steam launch was
the best in the harbour, and his yacht, "The Flora/'
had beaten all comers. He entertained freely at
Bellevue, and gave sumptuous dinners.
During the five years he had doubled, nay trebled,
his household expenses.
Mrs. Melrose remonstrated with him, but he told
her it was necessary he should do all this from a
business point of view.
" But you don't keep racehorses from a business
point of view, Cyril," she said; "I do wish you
would give them up. They only lead you to gamble."
BROKER.
23
" Never mind the racehorses, little woman," he
replied, calmly; " I am not extravagant in that
direction, and so far they have more than paid for
their keep."
She sighed. It was useless to argue with him.
She knew he had become infatuated with the sport,
although he was hardly aware of it himself, and she
dreaded the consequences. She knew he had a large
salary, but she also knew he speculated heavily, and
spared no expense in his mode of living. Even with
such an income he must be hard pressed at times.
Philip Baxter also wondered how Cyril Melrose
" kept it up," as he termed it.
" You're going the pace, old man," he said to Cyril
one day. " Pull up, or you'll come to grief."
"Nonsense," said Melrose. "You're getting
quite an old croaker, Phil. All my specs have
come off well so far, and I've a good balance at
my back."
" Glad to hear it," growled Baxter ; " you spend a
deuce of a lot of money."
" You always were a money-grubber," said Melrose;
"but you're a good fellow, Phil, and I know you
mean well."
Philip Baxter hardly knew what he meant at pre-
sent. He liked Cyril Melrose as much as he liked
any man, and he loved his friend's wife.
That was the great thorn in Baxter's life, and do
what he would he could not get it out.
He had a certain amount of rugged loyalty to his
friend in his nature, but he felt the strain put upon it
was sometimes more than he could bear.
24 BANKER AND BROKER.
Melrose and Baxter were often brought in contact
in the course of business, and as they were seen
frequently together, they would be pointed out some-
what in the following style :
" There they go. Banker and Broker. The two
most successful men in their line in Sydney."
True, they were successful, and Philip Baxter often
looked back over his past life and wondered how he
became so rich.
It seemed curious that the two men so different in
their natures should be staunch friends.
Cyril Melrose knew Philip Baxter had once loved
his wife, but he thought that passion was dead and
buried long ago. He felt more kindly disposed
towards his friend because he had once loved Flora.
And so they went on their way, the Banker and
the Broker, and men envied their good fortune, and
longed for a stroke of their luck.
Life to Cyril Melrose was very pleasant now, and
although at times he had fits of melancholy, they soon
passed away.
But clouds, gloomy dark clouds, black as ink, were
looming in the distance.
The Banker did not see them coming, but the Broker
fancied he did, and made his preparations accordingly.
The one had a hopeful spirit, and took a rosy view
of life, and the other was inclined to look on the
seamy side, and see more darkness than light.
The storm had not yet burst, and although the dark
clouds lowered they seemed a long way off.
Rupert Melrose, working hard in the bank, did not
see the gathering tempest. He admired his father,
BROKER.
25
and was proud of his ability and position. Cyril
Melrose took a pride in teaching his son to be a
successful banker.
" You will be able to take my place, Rupert," he
said, "when I am pensioned off, and have to hand
over the management to younger and more active
hands."
" That will not be for years yet, father. If ever the
time comes, I hope I shall be as successful and prove
as trustworthy as you have been/' he replied.
A shadow passed over Cyril Melrose's handsome
face as he glanced affectionately at his son.
Rupert Melrose did not notice it. He was young
and happy, and free from care. Shadows had not
crossed his path in life as yet.
26
BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER III.
Musketry's Quarters.
Alec ward, trainer and part owner of Musketry,
resided about fourteen miles from Sydney, and within
hail of Parramatta.
He had a comfortable place, not large, but quite
sufficient for all he wanted.
Ward did not care to train many horses, and was
very particular as to the class of animals he took in
charge.
As he put it in his own terms :
" It takes more trouble to train a b^d 'un than a
good 'un, and I'd sooner be without horses than have
a lot of duffers about the place."
It is not often that one trainer has a horse in his
charge for five years, but Ward had looked after
Musketry ever since he bought him as a yearling
when on a trip in New Zealand.
Alec Ward idolised the horse, and well he might,
for several of his wins had put considerable sums of
money into his pockets.
Many people said it was a shame such a-man as
Alec Ward should have so grand a horse, because
he did not scruple to use Musketry for his own ends,
and the public had often singed their fingers over
him.
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS. 27
When Musketry won, the money generally went
into the stable, and when he lost the public had to
pay the piper.
Of late an impression had got about that Cyril
Melrose owned Musketry, although as usual the horse
ran in Ward's name. This to a certain extent was
true, but nothing would induce Ward to sell the
horse right out, although Cyril had bid a heavy price
for the half he did not possess.
Alec Ward was short of money at the time, or he
would not have let Cyril Melrose into partnership in
Musketry at all. The five hundred pounds and con-
tingencies came in very useful, but now he was in
smooth water again Ward was anxious to buy his
partner out.
Cyril Melrose was firm, and would not sell, and
Ward did not like him any the better for what he
termed "his obstinacy."
Ward's house and training quarters were called
Hilltop, and he used the Rosehill race track, which
was close handy, to prepare his horses on. Rosehill
was an admirable place for such a man as Ward,
because he was not an admirer of touts, and did not
care about too many people knowing the exact
amount of work his horses were doing.
A more complete suburban racecourse than Rose-
hill it would be difficult to find, and for training pur-
poses it is excellent.
It was not often Cyril Melrose paid Ward a
visit.
He did not like the trainer now he knew him
better, and if he could have bought Musketry right
28 BANKER AND BROKER.
out he would have taken the four or five horses he
had in Ward's charge to some other trainer.
Alec Ward had an instinctive dislike to Phil Baxter,
and it was fully shared on the other side. Therefore
when the trainer saw Cyril Melrose and Philip Baxter
coming towards his house he gave a discontented
growl and muttered :
"What the deuce does he bring that fellow Baxter
with him for, I can't a-bear the man."
"Exercised the horses this afternoon, Ward, I
suppose," said Melrose.
" Yes," replied the trainer.
" All doing well, eh ? " said Melrose.
" Moderately. I fancy Musketry's gone off a bit the
last week. He does not seem to gallop quite so
freely," said Ward.
"I'm sorry for that," said Cyril; "let's have a look
at him."
Ward led the way to the stables, and they followed
him.
Cyril Melrose, like many more men of his class,
loved a racehorse, and for the matter of that, any
kind of horse, but knew very little about their
various points or condition. He never would
acknowledge this, however, and fancied he knew
quite as much about horses as Ward. To give
the devil his due, as the saying goes, Alec Ward
knew as much as most men about a racehorse,
and he was a good trainer, well up in his
business.
" There he is," said Ward, pointing to a beautiful
bay horse, a picture of symmetry and strength, who
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS. 29
was playfully lashing out as the lad in charge groomed
him down after afternoon exercise.
" What a beauty he is, Phil," said Cyril, admiringly.
" Is he?" said Phil, without hardly looking at the
horse.
"Of course he is," said Cyril, indignantly; "you
can't tell a horse from a mule, Phil. You don't
deserve to look at such a horse as Musketry."
" All I care about Musketry is to know when our
estimable friend Mr. Ward has, in vulgar parlance,
'the pieces on,'" said Baxter, "because if I invested
on the horse without the knowledge I might come
out badly on the race."
" You can't grumble at Musketry's performances,"
said Ward, snappishly. " You've made as much out of
him as I have, and more, Mr. Baxter, if report says
truly."
"Never believe reports, Ward," said Baxter.
"They're bad things to get hold of. Always get
your information first hand. I do."
"I know that," said Ward. "It would be better
for Mr. Melrose if he didn't tell you so much."
"Oh, Baxter's an old friend you know, Ward. In
fact he's one of us," said Cyril.
" Seems like it," grumbled Ward.
" What's the matter with the horse ?" said Cyril,
changing the subject.
" Gone off his feed a bit, and moves sluggishly.
I'll have to physic him. Dull in the coat, isn't he?"
said Ward.
" I've seen him look better," said Cyril. " He's a
shade on the big side, isn't he?"
30 BANKER AND BROKER.
"Well, he has a bit too much beef on him," replied
Ward, " but if I get him all right in a day or two
lean soon work that off. He runs well when he's
that way. I never draw him too fine."
" What weight shall we get with him for the Cup ? "
asked Cyril.
" About 8st 61b," replied Ward.
"Then he ought to go very near it," replied Cyril.
" I don't know so much about that," said Ward.
" There's a lot of good 'uns in this year. Commotion
and Malua will be a couple of nasty customers to get
rid of."
"Time will show," said Cyril. "At any rate, we
will hope for the best."
As they went away to catch the train Ward said to
himself: •
"You can hope as you like, Mr. Melrose, but I'm
blessed if that chap Baxter is going; to get the cream
, of the market."
"I can't make that fellow out. Wonder if he
knows much about a horse. He never says much,
but that may be his cuteness. Pretends he doesn't
care about horses, but he's mighty ready to put his
money on a good thing, I'll bet."
"Cyril, that trainer of yours is a humbug," said
Baxter, when they were seated in a first-class carriage.
" He's all right, Phil. You're prejudiced against
the man, and you let him see it. Ward's a good
trainer, and although he has his peculiarities like
other men, he's pretty straight," said Cyril.
" If Ward's not a two-faced individual I'm very
much mistaken," replied Baxter. " He was telling
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS.
us all the time about Musketry's condition. Why,
the horse looks splendid."
" You don't know anything about horses, Phil,"
said Cyril. "Why, you didn't even look at him."
" Oh yes I did. Quite enough to see he had not
much the matter with him. I wish I never had any
worse ailment than Musketry's got," said Baxter.
Cyril Melrose laughed incredulously.
" Laugh away," said Baxter. " It's all right now,
and you may think I know nothing about horses.
Granted I don't, I still maintain what I said. Ward's
a humbug."
"He'll not humbug me," said Cyril. "If he tries
that game on me I'll let him know I'm as much owner
of the horse as he is."
- " But you're not his trainer, and he doesn't run in
your name," said Baxter. " If I owned horses I'd run
them in my own name."
"You know I cannot do that, Phil," said Cyril.
"Why not? A man in your position could afford to
keep a couple of racehorses. What's the difference ?
Do you mean to tell me the Bank would object? "
" Probably," said Cyril.
"Nonsense, man. I'll lay you a new hat every
one of your directors knows you have an interest in
Musketry. The owner of such a horse as that cannot
be kept dark. Don't you think it would be better to
have it publicly known, than to resort to the ques-
tionable expedient of hiding your identity under
Ward's name ? If I were a bank director I'd sooner
■ have a man who owned up to keeping racehorses
than one who did it, as it were, on the sly."
32 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Come, Baxter, you're pretty straight. I don't
believe more than four or five people know I have a
share in Musketry. As for the bank directors, they'd
never think of it, and even if they did I don't suppose
they'd object."
" Not to the actual keeping of the horse," said
Baxter, " but to the attempt to hide it from them.
Don't you see I'm right? "
"No," replied Cyril. "It does not do for all the
world to know a man in my position runs horses."
" Then you should not do what the world ought not
to know," said Baxter.
"Turning moralist in your old age, Phil," laughed
Cyril. "Come, you've done some smartish things
in your time. What about the Bottomless Pit?"
Baxter laughed. The Bottomless Pit was a rare
joke to him, although it had not been to others. He
said:
" What I do may be considered sharp practise by
some people, but it's brokerage, my dear fellow.
Everybody knows what Phil Baxter is. If they like
to let me drain them it's their look out. They'd get
the better of me if they could. I'm no moralist.
Quite the contrary. Haven't the faintest notion
what a pure bred moralist is. But there's another
side of the question I spoke of."
"What is it?" said Cyril.
"Ward has entered Musketry in his name for all
events he figures in. What's to prevent him from
running the horse for which event he pleases."
" He can't do it. I own half the horse. He must
obtain my sanction first," said Cyril.
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS. 33
"Not at all, my dear boy. If Ward liked he could
scratch Musketry for all engagements to-night, and
never consult you at all," said Baxter.
" No, he couldn't," said Cyril. " He must have my
consent."
"That doesn't matter a rap. No one can scratch
a horse but the man in whose name he is entered, or
who nominates him. Ward so far as that goes has
absolute claim over your horse—if you like to call
him such," said Baxter.
"That's not fair," said Cyril.
"Yes, it is," replied Baxter. "I don't like Ward,
but I'll say this much. If you make him responsible
for the horse's doings by using his name instead of
your own it's only fair he should have the power I
have named. Run Musketry in the future in your
name, that's what I should do."
"You may be right," said Cyril. "But Ward
would never do anything without my knowledge.
Besides, it would not be to his interest to do so."
" Wouldn't it," thought Baxter. Aloud he said :
" Don't put too much faith in that man. He does
not bear a very good character. I've heard he has
done some shady things."
"Come up and dine with me," said Cyril, when
they arrived at Redfern.
"Look at me," said Baxter. "Does my apparel
betoken preparations for dining out."
" Never mind your dress. There'll only be a family
party. Come along. Here's the dog-cart, jump in
and say no more about it. Mrs. Melrose will excuse
your not being in customary suit of solemn black."
D
34 BANKER AND BROKER.
"That being the case, and you'll vouch for me,
I'll come," said Baxter, as he got up beside his friend.
" Lucky beggars," muttered the porter, who had
received a couple of shillings for putting a small
parcel in the dog-cart. "They say that banker's
worth a heap of sugar. Owns Musketry, too.
Wonder what he'll run him for? He's a cute 'un,
he is."
Baxter was not far wrong. Even the railway
porter knew, or fancied he knew, that Cyril Melrose
owned a crack racehorse.
Everything was done in first-rate style at Bellevue,
and Phil Baxter's welcome was heartier than usual,
for Mrs. Melrose was beginning to find that after all
this grasping broker who had once wanted to make
her his wife, was not so black as he had been painted.
Perhaps the change in her views was due to the
influence of her son Rupert, who was a favourite
with Baxter. The young man found many good
qualities hidden beneath Philip Baxter's cynical
mask. Once when he got into a scrape, as most
young fellows do at some time of their life, he had
asked Phil Baxter's advice :
" My advice, young 'un, is this," said Baxter;
"you've made a fool of yourself. Don't do it again.
Don't drink, and don't gamble. Help you out of
your scrape? Of course I will, conditionally."
"What are the conditions?" said Rupert, who
had feared Baxter would require enormous interest
for a loan, perhaps.
" That you never let your father and mother know
you've been such an unmitigated ass," said Baxter,
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS.
35
After that Phil Baxter and young Rupert Melrose
got on very well together.
" Baxter will stay here to-night/' said Cyril to his
wife when dinner was over.
" There is always a spare room for Mr. Baxter,"
said Flora Melrose, with a smile.
" I'd better live here altogether," growled Phil.
" I must get back to town to-night."
" No you mustn't," said Rupert. " Here Lil, Mr.
Baxter says he'll not stay to-night."
Lilian Melrose at sixteen was almost a woman.
She might have been taken for twenty. A bright,
handsome, open-hearted girl, and, like her brother,
she had found a warm corner in Phil Baxter's
generally recognised cold heart. Perhaps it was the
likeness to her mother, as Phil Baxter remembered
her, that made him feel strangely agitated when she
was near him. He was old enough to be her father,
and Lilian knew it, and treated him familiarly,
accordingly.
" Mr. Baxter, you will stay, won't you?" she
pleaded; " for my sake. Imagine my desolation if
you went."
" Much you'd grieve, Miss Pert," growled Phil.
" Now don't be a bear," said Lilian.
li Lilian," said her mother, reproachfully.
" She's right, Mrs. Melrose. Don't blame her. I
am an old bear," said Baxter. " I'll stay, but what a
nuisance you must think me."
" Come and play chess with me, Mr. Baxter," said
Lilian, wheeling out the board on a beautiful
miniature table.
D 2
36 BANKER AND BROKER,
Phil Baxter was fond of chess, and he had taught
Lilian to play a very fair game.
Flora Melrose watched them as they sat at the
board intent on their game. " Strange," she thought,
"how Philip Baxter should find pleasure in humoring
a girl like Lilian. He must be a good man at heart
if he can enjoy the company of one so innocent."
And Phil Baxter did enjoy Lilian's company.
She was the weak spot in his harder nature.
He loved the girl, but it was with a father's love,
not the love he had given to her mother in the long
years gone by. Injoving the daughter he found con-
solation for the loss of the mother.
" Lilian, have I been a bear to-night ? " said Philip
Baxter, as she bade him good night.
"You have been a delightful old man," she
laughed ; " I'll never call you a bear any more."
" Then grant me a favour, Lilian ? " said Baxter so
earnestly, that she looked surprised.
" Readily," she said ; "anything I possibly can."
He took her fair head reverently between his
hands, and bending down, kissed her forehead.
It was a fatherly, kindly kiss, and Lilian knew it.
She was almost a woman, and she blushed as she said :
" I'm afraid that is a very small favour, Mr.
Baxter."
" It is a very great one," he replied.
"I'm glad you think so," said Lilian. "Good
night," and she held out a little hand, which he
pressed gently.
As she left the room the sunlight seemed to go oyt
of Baxter's heart.
MUSKETRY'S QUARTERS. 37
He saw Mrs. Melrose looking curiously at him, (and
he said :
" I wish that was my little girl. It's the only
particle of happiness I envy you."
"You'll spoil Lil," said Cyril Melrose. "You're
getting quite sentimental, Phil."
" I feel I want something to love, and someone to
love me," said Baxter, half musingly. " Not the
ordinary sort of love you know, Cyril. A grander
love even than that. I'd give a heap for Lilian to
love and trust me as a friend, an elder brother."
"That she does, I'm sure," said Rupert. "You
should hear her fight for you if any one alludes to you
as a ' close fist/ or some such complimentary
expression."
" Does she do that ? " said Baxter.
" Honour bright," said Rupert.
" Then I'm satisfied," said Baxter, with a smile.
" Funny old chap, Phil, isn't he Flora ? " said Cyril,
when Baxter had gone to his room.
"Yes, Cyril," she replied. Flora Melrose knew
why Philip Baxter loved her daughter, and she had
no fear for either the child or the man.
38 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER IV.
good advice.
The Chairman of the Directors of the Federated
Bank of Australasia was Frederic Hathrop, a man
well-known and much respected. He was wealthy,
and held shares in the bank for a large amount. He'
was a man of keen intellect, quick to detect the good
and the bad in a man, but always just and merciful.
Some of his brother directors said he was too
merciful, and that it was not in the bank's interest
he should be so.
Cyril Melrose was a great favourite of Frederic
Hathrop's, in fact it was mainly through his advocacy
Cyril had been promoted to his present responsible
position.
The manager's business tact and judgment were
much admired by Frederic Hathrop, as indeed these
qualities were by all connected with the bank.
By a mere chance Mr. Hathrop had discovered that
Cyril Melros& dabbled in racing, and also kept two or
three horses which did not run in his own name.
This troubled him a good deal, and he thought for
a man in Cyril's position he should have been more
circumspect.
He mentioned the matter to another director,
Mr. At well.
GOOD ADVICE.
39
" I don't half like it, Atvvell. If Melrose wants to
keep racehorses, all well and good, but he need not
try and. conceal the fact from us."
"And you are quite sure he owns racehorses?"
said Mr. Atwell. " People often talk about these
matters when they know very little about them."
" I had it on the best authority from a man not
likely to make a mistake," said Mr. Hathrop.
"Then tackle him with it," said Mr. Atwell.
"One of the horses he owns, or has a share in, is
Musketry ," went on Mr. Hathrop, when he was
stopped by his companion saying in a tone of surprise :
" Eh ! What do you say ? Owns Musketry ? "
"So I believe," said Mr. Hathrop.
"Wish I did," was the unexpected rejoinder, and
Mr. Hathrop could not forbear smiling at the vehe-
mence with which it was said.
" I didn't know you were a racing man, Atwell.
Why do you wish you owned this particular animal ? "
" Because he's the best horse we've got, and he's a
good thing for the Melbourne Cup," said Mr. Atwell.
" That's rather a large order," said Mr. Hathrop.
" Correct, I assure you. Can you wonder at me
under the circumstances wishing I owned the
beggar?"
o
" Certainly not," said Mr. Hathrop. " If Musketry's
as good as you say, he must have cost a large sum of
money."
" Probably," was the reply.
"I'm afraid Melrose is extravagant. He has a
large salary, certainly, but he lives in great style.
He ought to be more careful."
40 BANKER AND BROKER.
" My dear Hathrop, it's Melrose's style increases
our business. If he likes to spend his money foolishly
it's no business of ours. He's a trustworthy man,
and that's the main point. The auditors say the
accounts are in perfect order."
"I don't doubt that for a moment," said Mr.
Hathrop; "nor do I doubt Melrose. All I think is
that he's foolish, more especially if he races and bets.
It doesn't do for bankers to gamble, and I shall tell
him so."
" If you'll take my advice you won't be too dicta-
torial to Melrose. He's a man won't stand bouncing,
and we cannot afford to lose him," said Mr. Atwell.
"No, we cannot afford to lose him," thought Mr.
Hathrop; "but I must give him a hint all the same.
It's my duty as Chairman of the Directors."
The opportunity soon came. Cyril Melrose en-
tered the Chairman's room, and seeing Mr. Hathrop,
said:
" I did not know you were here, Mr. Hathrop."
"Don't go for a minute, Melrose, if you have time
to spare a few moments. I want to speak to you."
Cyril started, and for a second seemed confused.
" I'm at your service, Mr. Hathrop," he said.
Frederic Hathrop had noticed the change in Cyril's
countenance, and wondered at it.
"Cyril, I may speak to you as a friend," said Mr.
Hathrop. "You and I have known each other for
many years, and we have had rnany pleasant hours
together. I am an older man than you, and have
perhaps had more experience of the world."
"We have been the best of friends," said Cyril.
GOOD ADVICE.
4i
" And are so still, I hope," said Mr. Hathrop.
Cyril nodded assent, and the elder man went on :
" I want to ask you if it is true you own race-
horses, Melrose ? "
" Yes," said Cyril.
" Do you think it is wise for you to do so in the
position you hold here? " said Hathrop.
" I don't see any harm in it," said Cyril. " So far
I have made racing pay, and I like the sport. It is
only when a person gambles heavily it becomes
dangerous."
" It may not always pay, Melrose. It's a danger-
ously fascinating pursuit. I don't for one moment
suppose you will let it get hold of you to your disad-
vantage, but we must all be careful," said Mr. Hathrop.
" Oh, I'm careful enough," said Cyril, lightly.
" Surely you cannot object to a man in my position
having a little pleasure in moderation?"
" Certainly not," said Mr. Hathrop. " There are
other pleasures, however, besides racing. I don't
wish to be impertinent, Cyril, but do you own a horse
called Musketry?"
" Partly," said Cyril. " I bought a half-share in
him. Ward, the trainer, owns the other half. He's
a beauty, too," went on Cyril, enthusiastically. " I've
a good chance of landing the Cup with him."
Mr. Hathrop smiled at Melrose's enthusiasm, and
said :
" Mr. Atwell told me Musketry was a great horse.
He actually said he wished he owned him."
" I dare say he does wish that," laughed Cyril. " A
good many people would like to own Musketry."
42 BANKER AND BROKER.
" I hope the horse will fulfil all you prophesy of
him," said Mr. Hathrop. " But for all that, Melrose,
I wish you would drop racing."
He spoke earnestly, yet kindly, and Cyril felt
uncomfortable.
" If I win the Cup with him, I'll never own another
racehorse," said Cyril; "but it's my ambition to have
a big win."
" Don't set your heart too much on that," said
Mr. Hathrop. "I wish you would give it up now.
However, I hope you'll win the Cup, for then I know
you'll keep your word and do what you say."
" That I will," replied Cyril, heartily.
" By the by, Melrose, isn't Marie and Co's overdraft
getting rather large. Of course they are safe enough,
but nearly thirty thousand is a large amount."
Again a peculiar look came into Cyril's face as he
said :
" It is large, Mr. Hathrop, but look at the firm. We
have done an enormous business with them, and I
know the money advanced will be cleared off in a
short time. I would not mention the matter to them
yet, it would not be diplomatic. I know they made
a heavy deal the other day, and cleared many
thousands, I believe, enough to pay us off if we
wanted it, which we don't."
" If you think it's all right, of course let it remain,"
said Mr. Hathrop. " I'll be guided by you entirely in
that."
Cyril Melrose thought oyer what Mr. Hathrop had
said. He did not resent his remarks, for he knew
they were meant in all kindness.
GOOD ADVICE.
43
"I must have a big dash over the Cup," he
mused. " I've been spending a lot of money lately,
and losing more at cards than I care about. Money's
pretty tight now, at any rate. Wonder what made
him ask about Marie and Co's overdraft. That's the
last firm on the whole of our books he should have
thought about. Perhaps it was because they are so
sound he wondered at it. I must get it reduced
before the end of the month. I'll manage it some-
how. After all old Baxter was right about my
owning horses. I'm afraid it's pretty commonly
known by this time. Well, there's no disgrace in
having one's name mixed up with such a horse as
Musketry."
Then Cyril began weaving golden visions as to
what he should do with the big stake he would win
over the Cup, for he meant to plunge heavily. How
he would delight Flora with some unexpected gift of
great value, and Rupert and Lilian should not be
forgotten, and that old croaker Phil Baxter should
come in for a share of his good fortune. He'd make
the ring quake, and give them such a knock as they
had never experienced before.
He had told Mr. Hathrop it was only when men
gambled heavily racing became dangerous. What
was he about to do now? Plunge. Yes, there could
be no other word for it. Cyril Melrose meant going
in for a big plunge.
He had never felt so sure of anything in his life as
in Musketry's chance for the Cup. He had run into
debt certainly, but this would clear all off. Cyril
Melrose was of a very sanguine temperament, and a
44 BANKER AND BROKER.
few trifling debts, as he called them, did not trouble
him much.
Had he known what Alec Ward thought about
such matters he would not have felt quite so
sanguine.
Ward had a will of his own, and if he was put out
would not hesitate to have his revenge even if it'cost
him dear.
Ward wanted to own the whole of Musketry again,
and he was wroth because Melrose would not sell his
right in the horse. Alec Ward had taken such a
strong liking to the horse that he could hardlv bear
any one to go near him. He detested Baxter,
because he knew the man saw through him. For
Cyril Melrose he did not entertain much respect, and
considered him rather foolish than otherwise. It was
some consolation to him to think Musketry was
entered in his own name for the big races, and, there-
fore, had a great hold over Cyril Melrose.
" He'll have to do as I want, not as he wants,"
said Ward to himself.
Alec Ward, like a good many other good people,
had had his ups and downs in life. One day he was
in funds, the next out of pocket. He was not
pressed for cash at present, and could have bought
Melrose out of his share in Musketry easily.
Ward, however, was a confirmed gambler, and
would bet large sums on a throw of the dice. He
had lost hundreds in a night at hazard, and what he
won on the turf generally went at the tables. Of the
two, the green turf is preferable by far to the green
cloth.
GOOD ADVICE.
45
For a month after Cyril's visit to the stables, Ward
had experienced one of his runs of ill-luck, and as he
never left off when he had money to go on with,
matters looked black. He felt pretty certain he
could easily borrow a good stiff sum from the
Federated Bank, because Cyril Melrose was the
manager, and, therefore, he was more reckless in his
play than usual.
Phil Baxter, who generally managed to hear most
things, heard Alec Ward had been losing heavily at
hazard.
He did not feel at all sorry for Ward, but he hoped
the trainer would not go to Melrose for assistance.
He spoke to Cyril about it, and his reply had been
to the effect that it was no business of his how Ward
spent his money so long as he looked after the horses.
" He'll want to borrow money from you if he runs
short," said Baxter.
" Don't think he'll have much chance of that,"
said Cyril, laughing. "My exchequer is not very
high at the present time."
"You ought to have plenty of money," said Baxter.
" It's a shame if you have not. Suppose anything
happened to you, what would become of your wife
and children ? "
" I'm heavily insured," said Cyril, gloomily. " What
a despondent fellow you are, Baxter. What should
happen to me ? "
"How do I know," growled Phil. "Men will die.
I suppose I shall go off some day, and so will you."
" I don't look much like a dead 'un yet, do I ? " said
Cyril.
46 BANKER AND BROKER.
"No," said Baxter. "You're very much alive—
too much alive. You want tying up for a year or two."
" And I'm sure you'll live to be a hundred," said
Cyril.
" I shouldn't care about that," replied Baxter.
" I say, old man, you were right about the horses."
"How?"
"You said it was generally known I kept race-
horses."
"Well."
"Hathrop tackled me with it. He knew all about
my having a share in Musketry, and, by Jove, what
do you think old Atwell said?"
" Don't know," said Baxter.
"Atwell actually said he wished^ he owned the
horse himself."
" Very sensible of him. So do I wish he did," said
Baxter. " It would keep you out of mischief."
"You wait until the Cup's over, then you'll wish
you had taken my advice and backed him."
" Not I. Certainties never come off."
"Except when you handle them, Phil," said Cyril.
Baxter smiled, as he said :
" When I speculate I know what I'm doing.
Horses are not to be trusted. Shares are when you
can manage them yourself. Talking about shares,
have you sold those Beehives yet ? "
"No," said Cyril.
" I told you to do so a week ago."
" Forgot all about it," said Cyril.
" Then you'll lose a trifle. They've dropped."
" Much ? " said Cyril.
GOOD ADVICE.
47
" You'll lose ten shillings a share on them."
" Sell them for me, Phil, if you think they'll go
lower."
"All right. They'll drop clean out, and be utterly
extinguished before the end of the week. I'll get rid
of them for you. Why can't you do as I tell you ? "
"Next time I'll take your advice," said Cyril.
"It's not a big loss, but I cannot afford the cash very
well just now."
"Why it's only a matter of a couple of hundred,"
said Baxter.
"It's a lot to me," said Cyril.
" Then it ought not to be. Surely you cannot be
stuck for two hundred," said Baxter.
" It's not that exactly," said Cyril, " but I want all
the ready cash I can get."
"What's up," said Baxter.
"I mean to put a big commission in the market for
Musketry," said Cyril.
" When ? " asked Baxter.
"Next week," said Cyril.
"Then I advise you to consult Ward about it,"
said Baxter.
" Oh, it doesn't matter about that. Ward will
know I'm doing it," he replied.
" Do as you like, but don't risk too much. You've
been putting it down freely of late," said Baxter.
"This will be the last big plunge, Phil. I promised
Hathrop I'd not keep any more horses after Musketry
won the Cup," said Cyril.
"Then I hope to heaven he will win," said Baxter.
48 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER V.
the flora.
Lilian Melrose's greatest friend was Mary
Hathrop, the only daughter of Frederic Hathrop,
the Chairman of the Directors of Cyril's bank.
Mary Hathrop was about Lilian's age, and the girls
had become fast friends at school, and as is often the
case, that friendship gave every promise of ripening
into firmer bonds in after life.
But how many of the friends of our schooldays are
the friends of our manhood ? Most people would
have to answer very few. Ties formed at school, in
the happy days of cricket, football, and athletic rival-
ries of every description, are rudely broken when the
business of life is entered upon. Our schoolboy
chum we see no more. He goes his way, we go ours,
and the result is what seemed a friendship, has
proved a frail bond which is easily snapped.
Occasionally there are friendships formed in school
days which last through life. Perhaps this is more
often the case with girls than boys.
Mary Hathrop was not a girl to lightly break off
any friendship. She had more stability than Lilian,
more of the woman about her, and was more calcu-
lated to take her own part in the world. She was not
clever, nor particularly good-looking, but she had an
THE FLORA.
49
honest open face with lovely eyes, and her smile
seemed to reflect her inmost thoughts.
Left without a mother at an early age, she had
become accustomed to rely upon herself when most
girls were hardly considered out of their first
governess days. As the only child of a very rich
man, she was naturally the subject of considerable
attention. Her father loved her fondly, but he did
not spoil her. He gave her plenty of liberty, and she
did not abuse it.
A better friend Lilian Melrose could not have
chosen than Mary Hathrop.
Mary acted as a check to Lilian's occasional
frivolities, and there could be no doubt Miss Melrose
was inclined to flirt, and being more than ordinarily
good-looking, she had hosts of admirers of all ages.
Lilian knew how to use her eyes, woman's most
effective weapons, and she would, much to Mary's
horror, keep two or three half-fledged boys in a state
of fever heat at the same time. There was no harm
in Lilian's flirtations. It was merely the thoughtless-
ness of a petted, spoilt girl, who had got her own way
with everyone, even with " that old bear Phil
Baxter," whose growl was so much worse than his
bite.
Mary Hathrop often stayed at Bellevue for a few
days, and her father liked her to have such
companionship as the Melroses offered her, because
he had a profound respect for Mrs. Melrose, and also
considered her husband his friend.
On the occasion of one of these periodical visits,
Mary Hathrop's birthday was celebrated, and
E
50 BANKER AND BROKER.
naturally some friends were asked to participate in
the general enjoyment.
Mr. Hathrop, of course, was present, and so was
Phil Baxter, two or three friends of Rupert's, and one
or two young ladies from the " school."
A merry party, as maybe imagined. Young people
know how to celebrate a birthday. It is a day always
looked forward to with joy. It is the next best day
to Christmas Day, and runs it a close race for
favouritism. When we look' back, and think of
birthdays long gone by, we can hardly realise why
they were such times of rejoicing. As we grow
older, birthdays assume quite a different aspect.
Gradually they assume the shape of ordinary days,
and as the years roll on they pass by almost unheed-
ed, perhaps altogether forgotten, until we are
reminded of the event by someone else.
"It's your birthday to-day." "Dear me, is it?
I'd quite forgotten all about it. Let me see, how old
am I ? Bless me, I can't tell to a year. Is it forty
or forty-one ? "
That is the style of question and answer. Even
age is almost forgotten, and the old family bible has
to be referred to to vouch for the accuracy as to
whether it is "forty or forty-one."
The merry party at Bellevue, however, had not
got to the forgetting stage yet.
Mary Hathrop was eighteen. There could be no
doubt about that. Her father testified to the fact.
Lilian was positive, because Mary was so many
months, so many days, so many hours,f older than
herself.
THE FLORA.
5i
And Mary Hathrop herself was at eighteen not at
all afraid to let her correct age be known. She
had not arrived at that stage at present. She owned
readily she was eighteen. Middle aged spinsters,
think of that. She had no fear of the census
collector, and did not blush when a friend said
meditatively :
" Let me see. How old are you, Mary?"
Bellevue looked at its best. The glorious sunlight
flickered on the rippling waters of the harbour,
bathed in a warm glow the grassy terraces, and
was reflected in the windows of the house as in a
mirror. It seemed to creep in everywhere, and
even danced through the shade of the leafy trees,
and cast fantastic shadows on the ground. The
flowers seemed to drink it in, and renew their beauty
in its smile.
The girls in their light dresses, the men and
younger members of the sex in loose flannels and
easy hats. It was a warm day, and a treat, for the
winter just ending had been cold and wet and bleak.
" Mary, the sun shines on you to-day," said Mrs.
Melrose, as she placed her arm round the girl's waist.
" I hope it is a good augury, and that your life will
be full of sunshine and peace. Here is a small gift
for you. Keep it, dear, for my sake—for all our
sakes."
She handed Mary a beautiful bracelet, set with
diamonds and pearls, in a heart-shaped design.
" How beautiful this is, Mrs. Melrose. You are
too good to me." She kissed the giver affectionately,
and then turning to her father said:
E 2
BANKER AND BROKER.
" Look, father, what Mrs. Melrose has given me.
Is she not kind ? "
"Mrs. Melrose is always kind, Mary. It is indeed
beautiful. Such a simple design. You have a good
friend in Mrs. Melrose, Mary, and I trust you will
always be worthy of that friendship," said Mr.
Hathrop, gravely.
" That I am sure she will. Mary is always good,"
said Mrs. Melrose.
"Come here, Mary. Quick, quick," shouted
Lilian. "This horrid fellow has got me fast and
won't let me go."
Lilian was playfully struggling with William
Alton, one of Rupert's chums, and Mary perceived
she was not very anxious to get away. However in
duty bound she went to her friend's rescue, which
was easily effected.
"Your a horrid fellow, Willie," said Lilian.
" Look how you've pulled my dress about."
"Then you shouldn't stick pins into a fellow. It's
not fair. That's about the only weapon of warfare
you girls have. I call it mean, that's what I do.
Don't you, Miss Hathrop," said the injured combatant.
" It depends upon what you have been doing,"
said Mary with a smile. "Perhaps it was absolutely
in self-defence Lilian used her weapon of war."
"Not a bit of it. She disturbed my siesta in a
hammock by deliberately sticking a pin into my arm,
and for no other reason than to plague me about some
fair damsel about five times as old as I am."
" Don't exaggerate, sir," said Lilian. " Miss
Heavytop is not much your senior. She'll be able
THE FLORA.
53
to take care of you, so mind you don't fall out
with her."
"Take care of me. I'd like to see her. Why
she's twelve stone if she's an ounce. Hi, Rupert,
what's Miss Heavytop's weight do you think?"
"Don't know," sang out Rupert from the boat,
where he was preparing to set out for the " Flora,"
which lay anchored a short way from the beach.
"Never had the pleasure of lifting her."
" I think we'll drop Miss Heavytop," said Cyril;
" the yacht is ready, so we'd better get aboard."
"I should drop her quick," said Will. " I'd sooner
carry you a mile than Miss H. a yard," he whispered
to Lilian.
" Rubbish," said that young lady, with a toss of
her head. "You don't mean it. One can never
believe you boys. Come along, Mary."
She caught hold of Mary's hand and raced her
down the terrace.
"Oh, Lilian, how can you/' gasped Mary when
they reached the beach. " Suppose we had tumbled."
Lilian gave a hearty laugh as she said:
" It would have been a treat for the boys, wouldn't
it, Miss Prim ? "
" Lilian, don't be so foolish," said Mary, blushing.
" There, you dear, good girl, I'll be as quiet as a
mouse on the ' Flora.' I won't even speak to the
skipper. Shall you ? " said Lilian, with a sly glance.
Rupert Melrose was the skipper, and Mary blushed
again as she replied :
"Why should I not, Lil?"
" He'll be savage if you don't," said Lilian.
54 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Why ? " asked Mary.
" Because I know he likes you," said Lilian, " and
so do I, and so do we all. Many, many happy re-
turns, Mary."
This was about the twentieth time the impulsive
girl had said those words, but no matter, they sounded
fresh again.
"Give me your hand, Miss Hathrop," said Rupert.
" Now Lil, come along, you're always in such a fuss.
Give her a shove off, Will, and jump in."
"Oh, you're here, are you?" said Lilian to Will;
"then my yachting expedition will be a dreary
struggle to get rid of you."
They were soon on board the " Flora," and in a
few minutes she was scudding along like a seagull.
Enthusiastic yachtsmen were all on board, like most
Sydneyites, and who would not be with such a har-
bour, surrounded by so much varied loveliness.
Yachting has an exhilarating effect, and a merrier
party than the one on the "Flora" it would have
been difficult to find. The yacht was easily managed,
and the breeze sufficiently strong to send her along
at a fair speed.
"Nice yacht this, Melrose," said Mr. Hathrop. "How
beautifully she scuds along. It's quite a treat for us
city men to get out on the water for an afternoon."
" She is a good yacht, Mr. Hathrop," sa^d Cyril.
" I should not care to part with her for any other in
the harbour."
Phil Baxter was conversing with Mrs. Melrose, and
Will Alton and Lilian were having another battle
royal.
THE FLOE A.
55
"How that pair squabble," said Phil. "I suppose
that's the way young people make love nowadays."
" Mere fun, Mr. Baxter. They are both young and
full of spirits," said Mrs. Melrose.
"I suppose so," he answered. "They have not
arrived at that period of life when they take things
earnestly."
" Here father, Mr. Baxter, take a hand at her. I
want a spell, and so do the others," said Rupert.
" All right, my boy," said Cyril. " Now, Phil,
hurry up."
Rupert made his way to Mary Hathrop's side, and
she gave a smile of pleasure as he approached.
"Enjoying your trip I hope, Miss Hathrop," he
said.
"Very much. How beautiful it all is. This is one
of my happiest birthdays, I think. I have never
spent one away from home before," she replied.
" It is good of you to say that. So you think your
first birthday at Bellevue, and on the ' Flora,' is the
happiest," he said.
"Yes," replied Mary. "You are all so very kind
to me."
"Who could help it? " said Rupert, earnestly.
Mary lowered her eyes, as she said :
"Am I so unlike other girls then?"
"To me, yes," said Rupert, as he took her hand,
which was not withdrawn.
" We have been friends for some time now," he
said.
" We should all be very sorry to part with you. I
should miss you very much, so would Lil and mother.
56 BANKER AND BROKER.
We look upon you as a sister, at least they do.
I—I—"
Mary withdrew her hand, she felt strangely agitated.
" I hope we shall always be friends," she said in a
low voice. " Your mother has been very kind to me,
and I do love dear Lilian. Bellevue is like a second
home to me."
She summoned up her courage and looked at him
with a bright smile, and his heart beat high with a
strange gladness.
"Just look at those two spoons, Will," said Lilian.
" Fancy demure Miss Mary. Lecture me, indeed.
Just wait till I catch her alone."
" Then you'll hug her. Girls always hug each other
when they've nobody of the other sex handy to hug
them," said Will.
" Don't be impertinent. Hug indeed. What do
you think girls are made for ?"
"To hug, of course, Lilian."
She boxed his ears, and then laughed merrily.
Mrs. Melrose watched her children with loving
eyes. She was pleased to see Rupert so attentive to
Mary Hathrop, because the girl was a special favourite
of hers, and she knew Lilian was full of fun and
girlish fnerriment, and that Will Alton was a steady
young fellow. So she watched them, and her pleasure
was enhanced in their happiness.
" Mary and Rupert seem to get on well together,"
said Mr. Hathrop, as he stood by her for a few
moments.
"Yes; they look very happy now," said Mrs.
Melrose.
THE FLORA. 57
" Rupert's a good lad," said Mr. Hathrop. " He'll
make his way in the world. That lad's bound to
get on."
Such praise from Mr. Hathrop made her fond heart
leap with joy. Her boy, her pride, of course, he
would be a great man."
" I'm so glad you have a good opinion of him," she
replied. " He is a good steady lad."
"Is he fond of horses?" asked Mr. Hathrop
abruptly.
"Not in the least. I mean not more than lads ot
his age generally are. He's fond of riding, and all
outdoor exercises. If you mean is he fond of racing,
then I can say emphatically no. He seldom goes to
races. He would much prefer yachting."
"I'm glad of that," said Mr. Hathrop. . "I don't
like our young men gambling and horse racing. It
does them no good, Mrs. Melrose. I wish " he
stopped, and looked at her. "Perhaps she does not
know of her husband's partiality for the turf," he
thought.
"And what do you wish, Mr. Hathrop?" she
asked.
She felt she knew what he was about to say when
he suddenly stopped, and a cloud came over her
happiness. Cyril had become very fond of racing
lately. Too much so, she knew full well.
"I wish he may never be fond of racing," said
Mr. Hathrop.
He saw she knew what he was about to say, but he
changed his intention, and she was none the less
thankful to him for doing so.
58 BANKER AND BROKER.
Mr. Hathrop watched Mary and Rupert, and finally
said to himself:
" He's a nice manly lad. I like him, and she might
do a good deal worse. She looks happy. How like
her mother." He sighed as he thought of the wife
who had loved him so well eighteen years ago.
The "Flora" behaved splendidly. She seemed
proud of her crew, and was on her best behaviour.
When the sun went down they put back for
Bellevue, and were safely landed home again. A
jolly evening was spent, and even Phil Baxter came
out of his shell, and when an impromptu dance was
arranged took Lilian for his partner, and waltzed
well, much to her surprise.
"How well you waltz, Mr. Baxter?" she said. "1
never thought you could be so graceful."
" Indeed," said Phil. " Bears are not often
graceful, are they, Lilian ? "
"Now, that's too bad. You're not a bear. You're
a dear delightful old thing, there," she said.
" Lil, I'm surprised at you," said Will Alton.
" That's not unusual for you," she replied.
"To lead poor old Baxter on as you're doing; its
shameful. Why the man's old enough to be your father."
"And if he is I much prefer his company to yours,"
said Lilian.
"No you don't," said Will. "It's vanity. You
want to take his scalp."
"Take his what?" said Lilian.
" His scalp. You girls are like the Chocktaw
Indians, reckon your prowess in love affairs by the
number of heads you turn," said Will.
THE FLORA.
59
"It would take a good deal to turn your head,"
said Lilian.
" Would it," said Will. He thought, " you're
pretty enough to turn any man's head."
Mary Hathrop went on to the verandah to look at
the harbour view by moonlight. Rupert followed
her. What their conversation was we need not
repeat, but as they came towards the room, Rupert
said.:
"Then you will let me call you Mary?"
" If you wish it," she said quietly.
"You know I wish it, Mary. Will you call me
Rupert?" he asked.
"Yes; I will call you Rupert," said Mary Hathrop.
That was a night to be remembered. It.was the
end of Mary Hathrop's eighteenth birthday. In after
years the remembrance of that night was a dear
memory to them both. It lifted the gloom, and
showed them a shining light hidden beneath the
black cloud of trouble.
6o DANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER VI.
LOO KEY'S DEN.
A SUCCESSFUL man has many acquaintances, but
few friends. Wealth, position, and power have great
attractions in the eyes of most men. Once let a man
fall from his exhalted position and become an ordinary
mortal and he will quickly discover how few of his
acquaintances are friends.
" He's a friend of mine," is a common expression.
It ought to mean much, generally it means very little.
Men do things in friendship's sacred nam^ which
more resembles the conduct of a silent secret eifemy.
It is only when the crash comes that we find how
fickle men are. True friendship between man and
man is noble, but the profession of friendship is often
a hollow mockery. In the race for wealth men jostle
their friends aside without thought, without remorse,
in their eager anxiety to get in the foremost rank.
Such a paltry consideration as friendship must not
stand in the way of advancement. Kick a man when
he is down is the rule, not the exception. Crush him,
despise him, slander him. He was once your friend,
but now that is a mere pretext for telling reliable
stories about him, exaggerated distorted incidents,
which in the main may be true, but as related become
base untruths.
LOO KEY'S DEN.
6r
A man in Cyril Melrose's position has troops of
friends. Some, no doubt, fancied they really liked
him for himself, not for what he was in the commercial
world. Others flattered him to gain their own ends.
Cyril Melrose was inclined to be self-opinionated,
and he was not unsusceptible to flattery.
Among Cyril's many friends none paid him more
attention than George Cromer, who held a responsible
position in the bank.
Cromer was an energetic man, and although fairly
well educated was not a particularly brilliant scholar.
His advancement in the bank had been mainly due
to Cyril Melrose, who placed every confidence
in him.
Phil Baxter, with his usual perverseness, did not
like Cromer.
" I never like sneaks," said Phil to Melrose, when
askeci what was his objection to Cromer.
"Sneaks," said Cyril. "Why, man, Cromer is
anything but that. He's too outspoken, if any-
thing."
" If he is, then he's an outspoken sneak," replied
Baxter. " He may be all right. I don't want to
misjudge the man, but I wouldn't tell him anything
I didn't want other people to know. If I wanted to
crack a particular line up in the market, Cromer's
the man I should select as a confident to impart in
the utmost secrecy the information re the correct tip.
It would be all over the city in a few hours."
"You're wrong, Phil. With all your clear-headed-
ness, you are not a good judge of character," said
Melrose.
62 BANKER AND BROKER.
George Cromer was a man, perhaps, thirty years
of age, or more. He was a frequent visitor at
Bellevue, and was a member of Cyril's club. The
two often met outside the bank, and Cyril entrusted
Cromer with many of his commissions, such as buying
and selling stocks, and investing money on horses.
Cromer was always willing to oblige in this respect,
and he made a handsome profit out of most of the
transactions. He never executed commissions without
laying himself a bit to nothing, and he always avoided
Phil Baxter as much as possible when dabbling in
shares.
Cromer had a knack of looking after number one
which was quite refreshing. He always won when
Cyril Melrose won, but he never seemed to lose when
the balance was on the wrong side.
"Cromer, dine with me at the club to-night, will
you ?" said Cyril Melrose. " Mrs. Melrose is out,
and I'm a bachelor for a few hours."
" With pleasure," said Cromer. He liked a good
dinner on the cheap, and he knew Cyril was liberal.
"Wonder what's up," he thought. "More invest-
ments I suppose. He's dipping pretty deep. It's no
business of mine, however. I must feather my nest
through him. There'll be no risk that way, at all
events."
Cromer felt quite happy after a dinner to which he
did full justice, but he was a selfish man, and when
Cyril Melrose opened fire, he mentally made a note
that No. i must hold a strong hand.
"Cromer, I've a difficult transaction I want you to
do for me," he commenced.
LOO KEY'S DEN.
63
" Happy to oblige if I can, Mr. Melrose." He
always made a point of treating Cyril deferentially.
It sounded better, and he knew Cyril liked it.
"You will have to work delicately," said Cyril.
"The commission is very large, and the profits will
be in proportion."
Cromer made another mental note. " My profits
must be in proportion."
" As you are aware, I own half Musketry, and he
is a real good thing for the Melbourne Cup. Ward,
who owns the other half, is getting greedy, and wants
all the best of it. Now, I'm determined he shan't
beat me at that game. I own half the horse, and I'll
have my share of the market."
" That's only fair," said Cromer.
" I want him backed now to win me twenty
thousand, and if the commission is well worked you
should get long odds."
"That's a heap of money, Mr. Melrose. He's such
a good horse they won't lay much of a price. Won't
be a big average. However, I'll do my best."
" I don't want Ward to know at present," said Cyril.
" Of course, I shall let him have what I think proper
out of it, but he's not behaved well to me, take it
all round."
Cromer thought it was a dangerous game to play with
a man like Ward, but he made no remark. He thought
he saw a way of making a good haul out of his friend.
A few days after this arrangement had been made
Ward saw to his surprise that Musketry was
constantly figuring in the quotations, and the price
gradually shortening.
64 BANKER AND BROKER.
He could not make it out. He never imagined
Cyril Melrose would back the horse heavily without
telling him. He saw no reason why he should do so,
and perhaps he was right. To say the least of it, the
step Cyril had taken was injudicious.
Ward made numerous inquiries, and found the
bulk of the wagers had been laid by two men well
known in the ring, Alfred Dickson and Moss Levi.
Both these men were heavy betters, and knew how
to keep their own counsel.
Ward determined to get to the bottom of the
affair; and he meant to do it without asking his
partner anything about the matter.
If Cyril Melrose had tried to supplant him in the
market he swore he'd make him pay dearly for it.
He was wroth with Cyril because he refused to part
with his share in the horse.
That Musketry had a great chance for the race
he well knew, and no horse could be doing better.
Ward Was once more short of money, and the
knowledge he possessed as to Musketry's powers
he meant to avail himself of to retrieve his
fortune.
Men like Ward mix in curious company. When
he could not gamble heavily, he frequented a small
hell kept by a Chinaman called Loo Key.
There are scores of Chinese gambling dens in
Sydney, where sums varying in amount from a crown
to scores of pounds can be lost and won.
These dens are a disgrace to any community, and
yet they are permitted to exist with impunity. The
most abandoned men are to be seen in them, and
LOO KEY'S DEN.
65
women who have lost all sense of shame and who
deaden their consciences with opium.
Into Loo Key's house Ward went one night, and
gambled away the few sovereigns he had in his
possession. The keeper of a Chinese gambling den
is generally wide awake, and Loo Key was one of
the smartest of his race. He was a bland, persuasive
villain, and shortness of cash he did not consider
much when he happened to know who his customer
was. He knew Ward well, and was never backward
in lending the trainer money. When he saw Ward
had run short he at once offered him a temporary
advance to try and change his luck with.
An inveterate gambler will even condescend to
accept a loan from the keeper of a Chinese den.
When Loo Key gave ten pounds to Ward, the
trainer quickly lost it all, and then sat down to watch
the more fortunate players have it out.
There were girls in this den, not women, but girls
of from sixteen to eighteen years of age.
The majority of them had their vile calling
stamped in an unmistakable manner on their faces.
In a room at the back of the gambling saloon,
reclining on benches, were half-a-dozen of these girls,
all smoking opium.
The fumes gradually lulled them into dreamland,
and then they became an easy prey for the vilest
wretches on the face of the earth. The low bred
Chinaman has no equal in his vice in this direction.
He invents with devilish cunning, and his victims
are so lost to all sense of shame that his vices are
readily pandered to.
F
66 BANKER AND BROKER.
Horrible scenes, heart-rending scenes are often
witnessed in these places of infamy. White slaves
in the service of yellow skins. . Hideous looking
fiends, at the sight of whose loathsome faces even
hardened men recoil. Girls, enticed from their
homes and taught the fearful opium smoking habit,
are sought by their heart-broken parents, and, despite
their anguish and entreaties, decline to leave their
destroyers.
Loo Key had several of these girls, and he never
feared molestation so long as he had a long purse.
Ward, as he sat and watched the gamblers at their
work, had no thought of the vice he was encouraging
by frequenting such a place. To do the man justice
he knew but little of the scenes enacted in the other
portion of Loo Key's house. But gamble he must,
and one place was as good as another for that
purpose.
To-night he felt in a peculiar mood, and the wily
Chinaman, seeing he was in an unenviable frame of
mind, thought it would be a good chance to try Ward
at the opium smoking.
Loo Key sidled up to him, and proffered him a
pipe. Ward looked at him. He knew it was an
opium pipe and he had never smoked the drug
as yet. He had often wished to try it, but never
dared.
He felt desperate. Why, he knew not, but every-
thing seemed to be going wrong just when he had
the chance to put all right with Musketry.
" Get out," grunted Ward. " Take that beastly
stuff away."
LOO KEY'S DEN.
67
Loo Key made no remark, but he left the pipe
close by Ward and went away.
The trainer eyed it for some time. He took it up
hesitatingly, and then put it down again.
,f Couldn't do me much harm to take a whiff," he
thought. " That won't hurt. Here goes," and he
lighted the pipe and commenced to pull at it.
Then something in the game attracted his atten-
tion, and he went on smoking^mechanically until all
at once he felt a dreamy, pleasant feeling stealing
over him. He put his legs up on the couch on which
he was sitting, and fell back half asleep. The pipe
stem was still in his mouth.
Loo Key had never taken his eyes off him. When
he saw Ward fall back he chuckled to himself. If he
could only get Ward in his power what a golden
harvest he could reap.
Unlike many of his countrymen, Loo Key had a
passion for horse-racing. He had a relation a jockey.
A Chinaman jockey. Such things do exist, and some-
times a good horseman can be found amongst them.
Loo Key watched the betting market. He read
the quotations every morning, and he knew all the
horses that possessed a chance in a big event.
Musketry he had a great respect for, and he meant
to wheedle out of Ward what the horse would run for.
He meant to keep Ward short of money if he could,
and opium would do the rest. Loo Key was a great
believer in opium. He had such a precious regard
for it that he never smoked it himself.
He had a mixture of his own, and when asked to
have a pipe of opium with a caller at his den lfe occa-
E 2
68 BANKER AND BROKER.
sionally had a dose of his own make. He would
pretend to go off in the usual way, and all the time
would stealthily watch his victim.
Few white men were a match for Loo Key in
cunning. He was a philanthropic Chinaman, and
his name often figured in subscription lists for
charitable objects. Loo Key at midnight was a far
different man to Loo Key at midday.
At night he was a keeper of a gambling hell. In
the daytime he was a respectable Chinese tea
merchant. Loo Key was, for a Chinaman, good-
looking. There was nothing repulsive about him.
He would have passed for a converted Chinese'
missionary anxious to save his pagan countrymen.
Loo's bill would have been accepted for a large
amount. He banked with the Federated Bank of
Australasia, and his balance was big.
And now Loo Key was watching Ward anxiously.
The trainer was dreaming. He had never had such
dreams before. He saw sights he had never thought
could exist, he won victories he never in his most
sanguine moments contemplated. Musketry, indeed.
He was the proud possessor of half a dozen Cup
winners. He rolled in wealth. He saw all his
creditors kneeling before him. Never had Ward
exulted as he exulted nowT under the influence
of Loo Key's " cure all."
When Ward came round he felt his head was like
lead, and he had an idea his eyeballs were en-
deavouring to drop out.
Loo Key came to his rescue, and gave him an
antidote which seemed to pull him together.
LOO KEY'S DEN.
69
" D you and your opium," growled Ward.
"I'll never have any more of the cursed stuff."
" All right, now," said Loo Key, who could speak
better English than Ward when it came to a pinch.
" I saw you were in trouble, and I wanted to give
you a rest. Pleasant dreams, eh ! "
"Curse your pleasant dreams," said Ward. "If
I'd all the spare cash I fancied I had before I
got this infernal head, I should never be inside your
beastly den again."
" I'll let you have money if you're short of it," said
Loo Key. " How much do you want ? "
" Want," said Ward, looking at him. " I'll try the
beggar," he thought.
"A hundred would help me a good deal," he said.
To his intense astonishment the Chinaman left
him for a few moments, and then came back with a
cheque made out for the amount.
"You can have it if it will help you," he said.
" You're not a bad sort for a Chinaman," said
Ward, as he pocketed the cheque. " Of course you
want something for it ? "
" Not much," said Loo Key. " Give me a good tip.
That will do. I've plenty of money."
" I'll think the matter over," said Ward. " What
shall I get out of a good tip, as you call it?"
" Half shares," said Loo Key.
" And you'll find the money? " said Ward, surprised
at such an offer.
"Yes," said Loo Key.
"Then it's a bargain," said Ward; "but no more
opium. The stuff's awful."
7o DANKER AND BROKER.
"Very well," said Loo Key, but he thought, "not
till I want to use you again."
Ward left the house, and as he walked towards
the station felt relieved to think he had a cheque for
a hundred in his pocket, even if it was from a
Chinaman.
The cheque was on the Federated Bank of
Australasia. It was made out in Ward's name, and
he paid it into his own bank.
It was naturally collected at the bank Cyril
managed.
He saw it and would probably never have looked
at it but for seeing the name of Ward upon it.
"Loo Key," he thought, as he turned it over.'
"Now why should Loo Key give Ward a cheque for
a hundred? Surely the tea merchant is not buying
horses. Mr. Loo Key's Fan-tan would read well,"
and Cyril laughed at the thought.
He only knew one side of Mr. Loo Key's life—the
tea merchant side.
That cheque puzzled Cyril. Ward and Loo Key
seemed to him as apart as the two poles. It was no
business of his. Perhaps Ward knew the Chinaman
through dealing with him at his warehouse.
Chinamen gambled a good deal, so the hundred
might have been an investment. Again Cyril smiled
as he thought what sort of a man Loo Key had got
hold of.
Meanwhile Mr. George Cromer had executed his
commission and done it so cleverly that he could win
a nice stake for himself without any risk. He now
thought it was about time Ward knew who had got
LOO KEY'S DEN.
7i
the Musketry money, and the trainer quickly made
the discovery when Mr. Cromer gave " the office."
What reason Cromer had for letting Ward know,
was best known to himself. No doubt it was a good
one, for he was not a man to do anything without
calculating well ahead.
"I'll go to the bank and have it out with Mr.
Melrose," thought Ward. " The very thing. I'll get
another overdraft over this business, and a good big
'un, or I'll let him see if he can trifle with me."
Cyril Melrose was quite satisfied with the way
Cromer had done his work, and he had given him
orders to take several thousands mare about the
horse.
The public had followed the lead when Musketry
was so heavily backed for the Cup, and as it was
generally stated Cyril Melrose owned the horse, they
felt sure of an honest run for their money.
Whether they got it, time will show.
DANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER VII.
the trainer's threat.
Ward was not slow in following up the plan he had
mapped out, and at once set about seeing what arrange-
ments he could make advantageous to himself.
He knew Moss Levi and Alfred Dickson had laid
the bulk of the money against Musketry, and he
sounded those worthies first. They were men of
reliable character in the ring, but, like most of their
brethren, never scrupled about laying a " dead 'un."
Between them they had laid twenty thousand against
Musketry at fifteen to one, and, if Ward could
guarantee them a clear book over the horse, they
agreed to give him five hundred between them. The
public had backed the horse pretty heavily, and
consequently he was the worst animal for them.
" There's no doubt about it being Melrose who has
backed the horse ? " asked Ward.
" No. I laid the wagers to George Cromer, and he
always does the commissions for Melrose, or nearly
always. I never care about laying much when Mr.
Baxter's on the job. You can't fool him, but
Cromer's more open to reason," said Levi.
Having fixed this little matter to his satisfaction,
Ward went to the Bank to see Cyril Melrose.
THE TRAINER'S THREAT\ 73
He was shown into the manager's private room,
and as George Cromer saw him pass through the
bank he thought:
" The fat's in the fire already, is it! "
"Well, Ward, what is it? " said Cyril. "Anything
wrong with the horse?"
" A good deal's wrong with him, Mr. Melrose,"
said Ward.
Cyril looked up hastily.
" Nothing serious, I hope," he said.
"Very serious," said the trainer.
" He was well enough a couple of days, or at the
most a week, ago," said Cyril. " It must have been
very sudden."
"It was," said Ward. "The horse is suffering
from the shock he's received over the betting market,
otherwise he's quite well."
" Is that all?" laughed Cyril. "You gave me quite
a start. What's the matter with the betting
market? "
"Someone has backed Musketry for thousands, the
public have followed suit, he's as good a favourite as
anything, and I haven't got a shilling about him. Who
has got the money, that's what I want to know."
"I've backed him for a trifle," said Cyril. He did
not care to let the trainer know how much, and he
little thought Ward knew the exact amount, at all
events to within a few pounds.
" There's another matter I wish to speak to you
about," said Ward.
" What is it ? " asked Cyril. " Anything I can do
for you ? "
74 BANKER AND BROKER.
"I'm hard up, and I want five hundred pounds.
Can you let me have an overdraft for that amount?"
asked Ward.
" You've got a much larger overdraft now than
you used to have, and then again you do not bank
with us so regularly. I saw a cheque made payable
to you which came through another bank. What do
you have to do with Loo Key? "
Ward had forgotten the cheque was on the bank
Melrose managed, and for the moment he was taken
aback. He quickly recovered himself, and said :
" I make his wagers for him. He's a born gambler.
He pays up well, and a Chinaman's money is just
as good as anyone else's—at least it is to me. I'm
not over particular that way."
" I hope you don't let Loo Key into stable secrets,"
said Cyril. " He's all right, I have no doubt, but it
would hardly do to let a man like that know too
much."
" He's straight enough," said Ward. " He's a
good deal more honest than some white people I
know."
" I dare say," said Cyril.
" Can you let me have the money, Mr. Melrose ?
I'm very hard pressed, or I would not ask you for it."
" I don't think I can manage it, Ward. You have
an overdraft of a thousand pounds now, and it does
not look well for the bank getting that back, much
less five hundred more."
"I shall have to get the money somewhere," said
Ward.
"Try the bank you use now," said Cyril, curtly.
THE TRAINERS THREAT. 75
" Come, let me have it, Mr. Melrose. It won't
matter to you, and five hundred is not much for a
bank like this to lend a poor devil like I am."
" And do you suppose I let people have overdrafts
on that principle?" said Cyril. "If you've got any
security I will let you have the money, otherwise
I must decline."
" You're not dealing fair by me, Mr. Melrose,"
said Ward.
"And pray have you always dealt fairly by me?
What have I ever won over Musketry compared to
the hauls you have made ? I cannot think how you
get rid of your money. You must gamble it away
foolishly. Once for all, Ward, I cannot let you have
the money. It would not be fair to the bank."
" If you haven't got much out of Musketry before,
I hear you mean to this time," said Ward, " and I
shall want my share."
"I don't care to discuss that matter with you now,"
said Cyril. " If I have a good win you shall not be
forgotten."
" That won't suit me," said Ward. " I must have
money now, or I cannot go on."
" Oh, yes you can," said Cyril. "Why, there's the
hundred Loo Key paid you. That will last a week
or two."
" I had to pay it all away," said Ward, telling a
ready lie. " Haven't got a cent of it left."
"Very sorry," said Cyril, who did not believe him,
but I'm afraid I can't help you."
"You mean you won't," said Ward.
" As you like to take it," said Cyril, abruptly.
76 BANKER AND BROKER.
" You'd better let me have the money/' said Ward,
and the tone in which he spoke roused Cyril, who
said sharply :
" What do you mean ? Haven't I told you it
cannot be done. Is not that sufficient ? "
" No," said Ward.
" I don't wish to have any words with you," said
Cyril.
" But I wish to have a few with you," was the
reply. " I know how much you have backed Mus-
ketry for, and I mean to have my share—that's half
the amount. I'm as much the owner of the horse as
you are."
If Ward meant to get anything out of Cyril
Melrose, he was going the wrong way about it, for
the banker was the last man in the world to stand
such a tone from Ward, or anyone else in his
position.
"Indeed," said Cyril. "And pray who told you
the exact amount I had backed Musketry for? "
"That's my. business," said Ward. "You stand
to win nearer thirty thousand than twenty thousand
over him, and perhaps you mean to have more."
" Supposing I had backed the horse for that
amount. Is it any business of yours? I have pro-
mised to give you a fair share of the winnings, more
I certainly shall not do," said Cyril.
"You'd better consider the matter/' said Ward.
" Will you let me have the money ? "
"No," said Cyril, decidedly.
" Is that your final answer ? "
"Yes."
THE TRAINEE'S THREAT 77
"Then I shall scratch Musketry for the Melbourne
Cup/' said Ward.
Cyril laughed outright at what he considered a
mere idle threat.
"Scratch away, Ward. You cannot have me with
that yarn. Musketry's my horse just as much as
yours, to quote your own words, and if there is
any scratching to be done I shall have to be con-
suited."
" If I don't get the money and half the wagers I
tell you I shall scratch him," said Ward, savagely.
"You dare not do it. You have no power to
do it," said Cyril.
"Haven't I. Musketry's entered in my name, and
I'm the only man that has the power to scratch him.
Now, do you see it?" said Ward.
For the moment Cyril had not thought of this, and
the idea of Ward being able to strike Musketry out
was not pleasant. Then again he thought Ward
would never be fool enough to throw such a chance
away to gratify mere personal spite.
" Granted you have the power to scratch the
horse," said Cyril, "I still say you dare not do it
without consulting me. Why, man, the public would
howl you down if you scratched the favourite without
any ostensible cause. They would say at once you
had been bribed, bought by the bookmakers, and the
Jockey Club would take notice of it. No, Ward,
I'm not at all afraid of you making such a fool of
yourself. If for no other reason, you would never
scratch Musketry when he has a big chance of
winning you half the stake, which is worth having."
78 BANKER AND BROKER.
"You don't believe I'm in earnest, Mr. Melrose?"
said Ward.
"Not a bit of it," said Cyril. "You're angry, no
doubt. When you've cooled down you will see it
was quite impossible for me to let you have the five
hundred pounds, and also that it would not be to
your interest to scratch Musketry. If that is all you
have to say, I wish you good morning, for I am very
busy," and Cyril commenced to turn over some
papers before him.
Ward was in a passion. He hated being treated in
this cool, off-hand manner. He would much rather
have seen Cyril Melrose fly into a temper, and order
him out of the room. But to be quietly ignored like
this was too much for him.
"You'll repent this morning's work, Mr. Melrose,"
said Ward. " By I'll scratch the horse to-night,
as sure as my name's Ward."
"Good morning," said Cyril.
"Be d d to you," said Ward, as picking up his
hat he went out of the room, slamming the door after
him.
Ward brushed past Mr. Hathrop as he rushed out
of the bank, and that gentleman-turned back to look
at him.
" Seems a little excited," thought Mr. Hathrop.
" Looked like a sporting man. Been to see Melrose,
I suppose. I wish he would cut racing," he said to
himself, with a sigh of regret.
" I met an excited individual as I came into the
bank," he said to Cyril. " Has he had a fortune left
him, and been to deposit it?"
THE TRAINERS THREAT.
"It must have been Alec Ward," said Cyril. " He
has just left me, and he was a little excited."
"That was Ward, eh?" said Mr. Hathrop; "the
trainer of a horse called Musketry ? "
"The identical man," said Cyril.
" What did he want ? "
"An overdraft."
"Indeed. Does he do much business with us?"
said Mr. Hathrop.
" He did a good deal at one time," said Cyril.
"Men like Ward, however, have many ups and
downs. One day they are comparatively rich, the
next day in low water. At the present moment
Ward wishes to impress me that he is at a very low
ebb indeed."
" That's always the way with racing men. Don't
you do too much at it, Melrose. How much did
Ward want?"
" Five hundred."
" And you "
"Oh, I refused him, of course," said Cyril. "I
could not think of letting a man like Ward have that
amount without good security."
"Quite right," said Mr. Hathrop. "We cannot
be too careful in these days. Money is very scarce,
and a good many people are shaky."
Cyril had taken Ward's threat to scratch Musketry
as an idle boast, but when he told Phil Baxter what
had occurred, the latter looked serious.
" I should have tried to conciliate him," said Phil.
" You see, Ward's a nasty beggar. I never liked the
man, and I like him stiM less now. Depend upon it,
8o BANKER AND BROKER.
Cyril, lie means to have five hundred cash out of you
or do what he says he will."
" He daren't do it, Phil," said Cyril.
"Men like Ward dare do much worse things than
that. The man doesn't care a rap what people think
about him. I told you when we went to see the horse
that Ward was a humbug, and I also warned you he
had taken the precaution to enter the horse in his
own name, and that he could scratch him without
your authority." v
Ward went straight to Levi after leaving the bank*
and before he had time to cool down.
He explained to Moss what had taken place
between himself and Cyril Melrose, and the book-
maker chuckled over the prospective gain that would
accrue to him through the scratching of Musketry.
" Leave him in the race till next week," said Levi,
" and then we can get a few hundreds more out of
him. Mr. Cromer told me there was another five
hundred to go on."
" Then let it go with the rest," said Ward. " Curse
him, I'd like to ruin him."
" It will take a good deal more than that to -ruin
Mr. Melrose," said Moss Levi. " He's heaps of
money, I wouldn't do it if I thought it would bring
him to grief, for he's not half a bad sort."
When Cyril heard nothing more for a week he
fancied Alec Ward must have forgotten all about his
threat. He had never for a moment imagined the
trainer was serious. He had instructed Cromer to
put another " monkey " on, and now felt he should
win a big stake.
THE TRAINER'S THREAT 81
" Mr. Ward wishes to see you/' said the mes-
senger.
" Suppose he's come to make matters up," thought
Cyril. " I will see him," he said aloud.
"Well, Ward, thought better of what you said the
other day ? " asked Cyril.
" No," said Ward. " Have you ? "
" I have not thought about the matter at all," said
Cyril. " If you wish to renew the unpleasant con-
versation we had when you were last here I must
decline to hear you."
"You think I'll not scratch the horse," said Ward.
"I'm quite sure you will not," said Cyril. "You
would never be such a fool."
" Fool or no fool I mean to do it," said Ward, " if
you do not make it worth my while to keep him in
the race."
Cyril Melrosp thought over what Phil Baxter had
said, and considered it might, perhaps, be diplomatic
to conciliate Ward. Not that he feared he would
scratch the horse in any case, but to avoid un-
pleasantness.
" That means you want an overdraft for five
hundred," said Cyril.
Ward fancied Cyril was coming over to his side,
and became bolder.
" Five hundred would have done a week ago. I
want a thousand now," he said coolly.
Cyril at once resolved not to be blackmailed in
this manner, and said haughtily :
" T see now you did not want the money. It was
merely a ruse to get possession of ready cash. I
G
82 BANKER AND BROKER.
shall have nothing more to say to you on this ques-
tion. You can go." ->
"You know the consequence. I'll give you one
more chance," said Ward.
" We will drop the conversation, please," said
Cyril, and Ward left the room without further remark.
"Obstinate beggar," thought Cyril. "Of course
he won't do what he threatens. Nuisance these men
are when they get rubbed the wrong way."
Had'Cyril seen a telegram Alec Ward sent to the
secretary of the V.R.C. he would not have felt quite
so easy in his mind as he did when he drove home to
Bellevue to dinner.
§3
CHAPTER VIII.
a sensation.
The morning after Ward had sent his telegram
to the secretary of the V.R.C., the Herald came out
with the following startling paragraph in its sporting
columns :—" Shortly before Tattersall's rooms closed
last night, a startling rumour gained ground to the
effect that Musketry, one of the favourites for the
Melbourne Cup, and who had been heavily backed for
thousands of pounds during the week, had been
scratched for that event. Such an extraordinary
proceeding on the part of his owner was discredited,
and several wagers were laid that it was incorrect.
A wire was at once sent by the secretary of Tatter-
sail's to the Victoria Club, Melbourne, asking for
confirmation of the report. To the intense surprise
and disgust of Musketry's supporters, the reply wire
stated that the horse had been scratched that
afternoon just before the closing of the V.R.C.
offices, and through some delay the news had not
reached the Victoria Club until late at night. Such
a blow to backers of horses had seldom been
experienced, and the owner come in for a good
deal of abuse. Musketry has been doing regular
work, and nothing is the matter with the horse. We
are of opinion that some notice should be taken of
g 2
84 BANKER AND BROKER.
the matter officially, although it is difficult to see
how the owner can be punished. At least sixty or
seventy thousand pounds must have been laid against
Musketry within the last fortnight. Alec Ward, the
trainer, is nominally the owner of the horse, but we
understand on reliable authority that a gentleman,
holding a high and influential position in commercial
circles, is the real owner. If this be true, and we
have no reason to doubt it, the scratching of
Musketry is still more unjustifiable and inexplicable.
Such conduct can but meet with general condem-
nation, and will give a serious blow to the turf
generally. Some explanation we trust will be offered
for the action of Musketry's owner or owners. If it
is not, the public will draw their own conclusions,
and they will not be favourable to the owners."
This paragraph caused a sensation at scores of
breakfast tables, and was discussed excitedly to the
exclusion of politics and the latest cable intelligence.
It is surprising what a hold horse-racing has on the
sport-loving Australians. The Melbourne Cup is
their great yearly carnival, and its quotations are
watched more eagerly than those of the Stock
Exchange. Betting and brokering go pretty nearly
hand in hand, and the majority of stock-brokers, after
glancing at the mining intelligence, turn over to the
betting market.
Phil Baxter was no exception to the rule, and he
made no secret of it.
"I'm a gambler," he said, "and there is quite as
much speculation, if not more, on the Stock Ex-
change than in the ring. I confess the first two
A SENSATION,
85
items of interest I look at in the paper are the
mining quotations and then the turf news."
When he picked up the Herald as he sat at
breakfast in his comfortable bachelor quarters, he
glanced at the mining.
" Ah! I thought so. Blue Rocks down again to
three shillings ! Centrals up again ! Hum ! I don't
fancy that will last. The quotation's hardly correct,
but it couldn't be much nearer for a man not in the
know. Let me see how the turf news reads!"
He glanced down the columns until he came to the
paragraph quoted above.
" Phew! Here's a nice mess. So Ward's been and
gone and done it. D the fellow ! Confound it!"
Phil Baxter did not often use strong language, but he
felt this was an exceptional occasion, and he was
justified in doing so. It cost him an effort, and he upset
his coffee, which caused the latter exclamation.
" Coffee on Mrs. Jones' clean table-cloth! Mis-
fortunes never come singly. Hang it all, I won't
speculate to-day. Bad luck ! that's what it means.
Poor old Cyril. He'll be in a hole over this. That
Ward's a scoundrel. I fancied he would do it all
along, and that's why I never put a penny on. The
feller'd never have the cheek to start the horse for
the Metropolitan after this, and besides, he wouldn't
be fit. That last part of the paragraph will annoy
Cyril. There's no mistaking who it means, and he
can't say anything, that's the worst of it. The public,
at least those who know, will blame him for this busi-
ness. It's deuced awkward. Why will people who
know nothing about horses meddle with racing.
86 BANKER AND BROKER.
Well, it's no business of mine, but I'm sorry for Cyril.
And then there's F1 , I mean his wife. Perhaps
she won't hear of it. Bah ! One of her most affec-
tionate female friends is sure to hear of it. The
husband will tell the wife, and the wife will in a
purely friendly spirit of course tell Mrs. Melrose. I
know all about it. This is the style," went on Phil
to himself as he commenced to pull on a boot.
Tug— "My dear"—tug—"Melrose has had a
nasty knock. His horse Musketry has been scratched
for the Cup, and he must have lost a heap of money "
—tug, one boot on. "Poor fellow"—tug. "How
sorry I am for Mrs. Melrose "—tug—there you both
are, and Phil stamped first one foot and then the
other just to settle his feet fairly down.
" Women, bother women," said Phil. " Here's Mrs.
J. coming. I'll be off before she sees that coffee
mark," and Phil went to catch his train.
Cyril Melrose took up the paper when he came
downstairs, and had a glance at it. He then
commenced his breakfast. Suddenly he stopped, and
put the cup he had raised down again.
"Cyril, what's the matter?" said Mrs. Melrose,
alarmed, for he had turned pale, and his hand shook.
" Oh, it's nothing, dear. Peculiar feeling of faint-
ness came over me. I'm better now."
He took up the paper again, and read the para-
graph through.
It was a bitter blow to Cyril Melrose. The loss of
the money would hamper him a good deal, but it was
the mention of himself, for he felt the writer of the
paragraph knew all, that annoyed him. What would
A SENSATION.
87
people say. His own friends he had told to back the
horse—What would they think? Mr. Hathrop would
be sure to hear about it, and it would be the talk of
the town.
He cursed his luck for ever having anything to do
with such a man as Ward, and he reflected bitterly
that had he taken Baxter's advice matters might have
been very different.
However, it could not be helped now, and he must
make the best of it. He would have a plunge on
something else, at all events, and get his money back.
Mrs. Melrose felt instinctively something was wrong.
She often had that feeling now, and she sighed. She
knew her husband better than he did himself. She
knew he was weak and vacillating, and generous to a
fault, too fond of making friends who were unworthy
of his friendship. With a shudder she sometimes
thought of the temptations surrounding him. Always
handling large sums of money, with implicit, almost
blind, trust placed in him, what might not a man with
such a temperament do. Not that she mistrusted
him, but she knew his weakness. She loved Cyril as
only a good, pure woman can love, and if she were
tried she would not be found wanting. It was be-
cause she loved him she feared for him.
He did not choose to give his confidence this
morning, and she remained silent. He felt, however,
when she kissed him before he left, she was troubled
on his account.
When he reached Sydney he fancied people looked
hard at him. Purely imagination of course, and yet
he could not get rid of the idea.
88 BANKER AND BROKER.
George Cromer was the first to speak to him about
the matter.
" This is a peculiar thing, Mr. Melrose. I backed
the horse heavily myself because you thought it was
such a good thing."
" I'm sorry for that, Cromer. I've lost my money.
You know it was not my fault. That scoundrel
Ward shall suffer for this."
Cromer did not believe him. He was angry.
Not that he had invested .a penny of his own, but
he had returned a price to Cyril which would
leave him a very nice margin of profit if the horse
won.
" They tell me you've withdrawn Musketry from
the Cup," said Mr. Hathrop. " How is that? "
" I'm sick of the whole business," said Cyril. " I
mean to give up racing. I shall sell my share in the
horse to Ward."
" I am very glad, Melrose, you have come to that
decision. It would, however, have been better had
you let your friends know what you were going to do
with the horse. I am afraid several of them will
have lost money over him."
" It was not altogether my fault," said Cyril. " You
see the horse was entered in Ward's name, and con-
sequently he could do as he liked."
" In that case you could lose money," said Mr.
Hathrop.
" I have lost a little. A mere trifle," said Cyril.
" A few pounds."
" I am glad it is no more," said Mr. Hathrop.
" By-the-by, I met Audrey yesterday. He says
A SENSATION.
89
business is grand. You had better call in some of that
heavy overdraft, I think."
Cyril started. Audrey was the head partner in
Marie and Co., whose overdraft stood on the books at
£30,00°.
" I will see Audrey myself," said Cyril. " It may
not be wise to press them at present. They are good
people, and their account is worth having."
" I will leave it entirely in your hands, Melrose. I
merely thought I would mention the matter," said
Mr. Hathrop.
"I am very glad you did," said Cyril.
It was the usual way. When Mr. Hathrop made a
suggestion he invariably left it with Cyril Melrose to
adopt it or not as he thought fit.
Cyril Melrose passed an uncomfortable day, and he
was glad when he could leave the bank.
He went to Baxter's office, and found Phil, as
usual, up to his eyes in business.
" You see what that fellow Ward's done?" said Cyril.
" It's no more than I expected," said Baxter. " I
told you before he was not to be trusted. Have you
lost much ? "
" Yes," said Cyril. He did not keep much from
Phil Baxter. He knew he could trust him.
" You ought to have bought Ward off," said Phil.
"Never! I'd sooner lose twice as much," replied
Cyril vehemently.
"That may be right one way, but it's decidedly
wrong in another," said philosophical Phil. " Never
cut off your nose to spite your face, and it seems to
me that's very much what you have been doing. If
qo BANKER AND BROKER.
you'll take my advice this time, drop racing, old
fellow."
"I mean to," said Cyril. "I shall sell Ward my
share in the horse, and he can go to the deuce as far
as I am concerned."
"You might as well have said 'the devil' at once,"
said Phil, "for it's a moral certainty Ward will go to
that near relative of his. The worst of the business is
people will think you to blame, and you know what the
public are when they lose their money. A zoological
tiger is a trifle to them. They'd worry anything and
anybody. I've had two or three fools in here to-day
crying over their losses. I don't suppose they had
more than a fiver each on the animal, but they made
more row over it than I should have done had I lost a
'monkey.' I can't stand such people, and I shut them
up pretty quick. Lost a sale over it too. All
through you."
" What did you tell them ? " said Cyril.
"What I shall tell everyone that asks me," said
Phil. " Said you had nothing to do with it, and didn't
own a hair of the horse in question."
" Phil, you're a brick," said Cyril.
"I've told more lies to-day on your account, Cyril,
than I ever told before. Under the circumstances I
think they are justifiable fibs. That will be the more
consolatory way of putting it."
"Come with me, Phil, and we'll go and see Ward
now," said Cyril. "It's only four o'clock."
" All right," grumbled Phil. " You'll be the ruin
of me, Cyril. I've not done a stroke to-day. Upset
the coffee at breakfast; knew I'd have no luck."
A SENSATION.
9i
Ward was at home. He had half expected Cyril
Melrose would come, but he had not bargained for
Phil Baxter.
Cyril meant to keep his temper. The mischief was
done, and could not be undone.
" A nice trick you have served me, Ward," he
commenced.
" It was your own fault, Mr. Melrose. I gave you
fair warning," replied the trainer.
"You knew very well I could not advance you
more money, and you did not go the right way about
it," said Cyril.
" Pm sorry I scratched him now," said Ward; " I
was mad with you at the time, and went straight from
the Bank to the Post-office and sent a wire. IPs too
late to growl over it now, but if I had the time to
come over again I wouldn't do it."
" That's a lie," thought Phil.
" I shall say no more about it. What I want you to do
is this," said Cyril. "You owe me some recompense
for the loss you have caused me, and also the annoy-
ance. I will sell you my share of the horse on con-
ditions you let people know he has always been your
property, and that you alone were responsible for
scratching him. I don't want my name'mixed up
in an affair like this, and it is only right you should
take the blame."
Ward was jubilant, but he did not show it.
He would promise anything to get full possession
of the horse again. He had a little scheme on
hand which would make a rich man of him. He
said:
92 BANKER AND BROKER.
" That's only fair, Mr. Melrose. If you will sell me
your share, I will take good care your name is not
mixed up with this scratching business. I can't pay
you cash down for the horse, sir, but I'll give you a
hundred, and the remainder in a month."
" That will do," said Cyril, " and mind you keep
your promise. I shall sell the other horses you have of
mine, and give up keeping racers for a time, at any
rate. I am sure you must see what a fool you were to
scratch Musketry, because he is in nothing else but
the Metropolitan, and he won't be half fit by then."
" He won't run for the Metropolitan," said Ward.
" He'll be too big. I could not get him ready for that
in a week."
The bargain was concluded, and Musketry once more
passed into Ward's hands, much to his delight. He
had no idea Cyril Melrose would part with the horse,
and he felt sure of his ground now. As for keeping
his promise about the scratching, that did not trouble
him at all. He meant to do just what he thought best
in that respect. If there was much fuss made over it
he could say it was all Melrose's fault, and confirm his
statement by saying that Cyril had re-sold him his
share in the horse to get rid of his responsibility.
" I wouldn't give a rap for that promise of Ward's,"
said Phil Baxter.
" You're very consoling," said Cyril, testily. " What
could I do. If the man's such a blackguard I can't
help it."
" Don't get into a passion with me," said Phil.
" I'm not, old fellow," said Cyril. " Excuse me, I'm
worried, and I wish I'd never seen that cursed horse."
A SENSATION.
93
Had Cyril stuck to what he had said and given up
betting, all might have been well, but the more he
thought over his losses the more determined he
became to have one more attempt at winning a
heavy stake.
True, he had no horse of his own in the Cup now,
but he could back another animal. He studied the
weights over and over again, and finally arrived at
the conclusion that Commotion must have a great
show. This was a wonderfully good horse, owned by
a true sportsman, and fit and well Cyril felt he had
spotted the winner. He had meant to save on Com-
motion even supposing Musketry had run, and now
that horse was out of the race he felt more than ever
inclined to have a plunge on the son of Panic. There
was time enough for that, however, and he might
have a win over the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, which
would give him some ready money to go on with.
His spirits revived when he had come to the
decision to have another plunge, and Mrs. Melrose
noticed with joy that he seemed much brighter and
happier, and more like his former self.
It was false excitement, and that always leaves
a man more prostrate than before.
Cyril Melrose was not a strong man, and the events
of the past few months had told upon him.
He fancied he had never been better in his life, and
he spent money lavishly, and lived harder than ever.
The little cloud, no bigger than a man's hand was,
however, gradually increasing in size and blackness.
In his blindness, Cyril Melrose saw it not, or if he did
occasionally catch a glimpse of it, paid no heed to it.
94 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER IX.
king willie's cave.
The love of a good woman, like the dewdrops on
the rose, nestles in the heart of a man, refreshing
and purifying it.
Mary Hathrop's influence over Rupert Melrose
had given him, as it were, a glimpse of another life.
He felt there was something to live for that before
had been lacking. Something beyond mere business
and pleasure, a feeling higher and nobler than he had
ever experienced before.
She was his first love, and he knew she would be
his last. Never again could he feel for a woman as
he felt for Mary Hathrop. And she returned his love
with her whole heart.
Mary Hathrop was not a clever girl, nor was she
beautiful, but there was an indescribable charm about
her, which endeared her to all she came in contact
with.
When Rupert asked her father to permit an en-
gagement between them he gave his consent. It was
hardly the match he had set his heart upon, but he
liked Rupert, and his daughter's happiness was his
first consideration.
Frederic Hathrop loved his daughter dearly. She
was the one being in whom all his affections were
KING WILLIES CA VE.
95
centred. He denied her nothing, and a less sensible
girl would have been spoiled by his indulgence.
Mr. Hathrop had a delightful residence near
Katoomba, on the Blue Mountains. The house was
situated in the midst of the romantic scenery with
which these mountain ranges abound. The panorama
is ever-varying, and travellers from other lands are
loud in praise of its wondrous beauty.
Leura, such was the name of the villa, was the envy
of all who saw it. From the spacious balconies a
magnificent view met the eyes on all sides. The
vastness of the forest ranges mounting higher and
higher, then suddenly dipping down into romantic
gorges, from which they emerged to tower still more
majestically, was awe-inspiring.
For miles the huge forest scenery stretched until
it was lost in the horizon.
When the brilliant sun* shone down on this scene
of beauty, Leura was a glorious place in which to
bask in the shade, watching the heated shadows
dancing like thousands of fantastic sprites.
When the moon lighted up the scene, the effect
Vvas still more beautiful. The stillness of night was
almost appalling. Sounds peculiar to mountainous
districts could be heard, and they had a weird, un-
natural meaning. In the pale light the giant arms
of the bare gaunt trees assumed wonderful shapes,
grotesque, and, at times, bearing an extraordinary
human resemblance.
Mary Hathrop loved Leura. Far from the bustle of
Sydney, with its din and glare, she wished she could
live for ever with Rupert in such a charmed spot.
96 BANKER AND BROKER.
She roamed at will among the glades and caves of
the forest, and hardly a nook within a couple of miles
of Leura had she left unexplored. No one molested,
no one touched her or offended her.
Sometimes she would sit for an hour talking to
old black King Willie, an aboriginal, who had once
been the chief of a tribe now extinct. The old man
lived in a cave not more than half a mile from Leura.
He would not come nearer civilisation if he could
possibly help it. Here in his retreat in the rocks he
was free to go and come as he pleased.
Wonderful tales did old King Willie tell Mary
Hathrop. Among the aborigines of Australia there
are some extraordinary superstitions existing, and
very beautiful in their simplicity many of them are.
The aboriginal may not be very attractive in himself,
but.it would take a poet to do full justice to some of
his legends.
Mary Hathrop delighted to hear the old man's
romances. They pleased her poetical nature, and
King Willie, finding such an attentive listener racked
his old brain to the uttermost in order to please her.
The old black fellow adored Mary. She was his
good spirit. All his aches and pains vanished when
she came in sight. King Willie put it down to
magic; Mary, more practical, thought the well-
supplied basket she held on her arm was the
cause.
Rupert often came up to Leura on Saturday, and
stayed over Sunday.
What happy days those were. How lovely nature
seemed when love filled the heart. The birds twitted
KING WILLIES CAVE.
97
merrier, and the numerous animal pets about the
house seemed to share the general spirit of gladness
pervading the dwelling.
King Willie's Cave, as Mary had christened it, was
difficult of access, and very few people knew of its
existence.
One bright sunny Sunday morning Mary and
Rupert made a pilgrimage to King Willie's Cave.
It had rained the night before, and the declines were
slippery and somewhat dangerous.
Mary had traversed the path in all kinds of weather,
and she was sure of her footing. The old black saw
them coming, and a peculiar expression passed over
his face when he saw Mary was not alone. He liked
his pale flower all to himself, and he knew that in
a short time her companion would take her away,
and then he would be lonely indeed.
But in the sunshine of Mary's presence, and in the
enjoyment of the contents of her basket, King Willie
soon forgot sad thoughts, and was content.
A pretty group they looked. King Willie seated
on the stump of a fallen tree at the entrance to his
cave, which was overhung with creepers, and sur-
rounded with all kinds of moss and ferns.
On the ground on either side of him sat Mary and
Rupert, and before them was a deep, steep gorge,
and a waterfall swollen by the recent rain came
tumbling down from a considerable height, dashing
from one ledge to another, and finally disappearing
at the bottom in a sea of foam. Overhead the
huge mountain trees gave a welcome shelter from
the sun.
H
98 BANKER AND BROKER.
King Willie having satisfied himself that the con-
tents of the basket were as good as usual, related
some of his old stories.
Mary had often heard them, but she was never
tired of the old man's legendary lore told in the
manner peculiar to his race.
The old chief told them how far away west from
there the spirit of the air had worked a wondrous
miracle. The drought had been terrible. Cattle
had perished by thousands, whole flocks of sheep had
been starved, and not a blade of grass could be seen
for hundreds of miles. The ground was cracked and
parched, huge fissures were made in it, and the earth
seemed to split with the heat, as though it had been
baked in a furnace. The feet of the blacks, for there
were few white men in Australia then, were blistered
and sore with the heat of the earth. No water could
be found. King Willie's ancestors and his tribe, to
the number of some thousands, had walked until they
could stand no longer, and they laid down to die.
Not a drop of water for their parched tongues.
Their wails of agony rent the air for three days,
but, strange to say, not one could die. Their
sufferings were terrible, but death would not come
even to the little ones, although the women had
no milk for their babes, even the human fount
being dry. Suddenly, in the dead of night, an awful
glare reddened the sky. The terrified tribe, looking
behind, saw hugh flames leaping high in the air.
Trees crashed down on all sides, the heat of a
furnace was upon them. The forest was on fire.
Led by their king, the whole tribe, shrieking with
KING WILLIE'S CAVE.
99
agony and fear, fled before the fearful flames. The
thoughts of perishing in such a conflagration gave
them strength, and on they went. Not one fell,
none perished. Suddenly a roar that shook the earth
was heard. Again it came, and the tribe stood
still; they could not move for the terror that was
upon them.
The king pointed to the sky. A mighty army
of men was passing over it, and at the head
one with a golden crown waving a golden
wand.
The heavens opened, and a dense mass of water
fell in one solid sheet. It put out the flames behind
the tribe, it cut a vast chasm in front.
Through the opening made the mighty torrent
rushed. The terrified people knelt down, and eagerly
drank of the refreshing flood.
Darkness covered the earth, and nothing could be
seen, and only the mighty rush of waters heard.
Then all was stillness.
The day came. A wonderful sight was before the
tribe. A mighty lake, bounded on all sides by huge
mountains, lay before them.
King Willie then in his own picturesque manner
told how the vast mountains had been washed out and
heaped up by the force of the water. How the lake
existed for many years, until the water gradually
went away in rivers and underground seas, leaving
a vast plain in the midst of mountains, which at the
present time was the most fertile spot in the western
country. This and many more legends did the old
black teli them.
H 2
100 BANKER AND BROKER.
"What a remarkable old man," said Rupert, as
they commenced the ascent from the cave on their
return home.
" He is," said Mary. " Some of his tales are
really beautiful. He is a faithful old fellow. I
believe he would do anything for me."
" Who would not, Mary?" said Rupert, fondly.
" Now, sir, you really must not flatter," said Mary,
smiling. " I shall get quite conceited if you do."
" I should never flatter you, Mary. I love you too
much," said Rupert.
" Do you indeed love me so much, Rupert ?
Would nothing ever shake your love for me?" she
said.
"No, Mary. If you were the poorest girl in the
land it would not matter to me. I shall always love
you, come what may," said Rupert.
She laid her hand on his arm as she said :
" I believe you, Rupert, indeed I do."
The ascent was not so easy as could have been
wished, and they now reached a difficult, if not
dangerous, part.
" I don't like the look of this place, Mary," said
Rupert.
"It's quite safe," she replied. "See, I always
catch hold of this branch, it helps me on to the ledge
above."
Mary caught hold of the support and swung herself
forward, while Rupert waited behind in case she
slipped, so that he could stop her from falling. On
one side of the ledge was a deep hollow. Whether
the rain had made the branch slippery, or from some
KING WILLIE'S CAVE. 101
other cause, Mary lost her hold, and at the same
instant the foot she had placed on the ledge slipped.
She swung to one side, and as Rupert clutched at
her she fell over the side into the hollow.
With a cry of alarm Rupert scrambled down the
steep bank as rapidly as possible.
Mary lay quite still, but she had not been stunned,
and she smiled as Rupert knelt beside her, and with
many protestations of affection, asked if she was
much hurt.
" I don't fancy it's much, Rupert," she said, with an
evident effort; "but I cannot move. Lift me a little."
He placed his arms around her, and tried to raise
her into a sitting posture.
Mary gave an agonised cry.
" Oh, Rupert. My back. The pain is fearful.
Please—please—lay me down."
" My poor girl," said Rupert. " Oh, Mary, I fear
you are badly hurt. What shall I do ? "
" Leave me, Rupert, and go back for Willie," said
hjary, faintly.
He stayed with her a few minutes, and noticing
the pain seemed to increase, he saw no help for it
but to go to the cave.
" I won't be long, darling," he said, as he kissed
her fondly.
Mary smiled. She was in dreadful pain, but bore
it bravely.
Rupert dashed off to the cave as quickly as he
could consistent with safety, and when he reached
it, scratched and bruised, he gasped out his tale to
old Willie.
102 BANKER AND BROKER.
In a moment the old man seemed young again.
He hurried forward at a great pace for one of his age,
and it was not long before they reached the hollow.
King Willie's distress was painful to witness. He
clasped his hands, and moaned and wailed as he
knelt by Mary's side.
"You must help to carry me home, Willie. My
back is hurt," said Mary.
The old man did not £]peak, but motioning Rupert
towards him, took him on one side, and then said :
" Back very bad. Carry her this way," and he
showed how he proposed to lift her.
Gently they raised Mary in their arms, still keeping
her in a reclining position as much as possible.
Mary bore the journey bravely, but she was in
agony all the way, and the path was rough and
slippery.
King Willie seemed like another man. He was as
careful as a mother with her, and his eyes were
hardly ever off her face.
"Very bad, Miss Mary?" he asked once or twice,
but she could only smile. " King Willie very sorry."
When they reached the house, Mr. Hathrop at once
sent for the local doctor, and despatched a telegram
from Katoomba to Sydney for the family physician.
The doctor examined Mary, and came to the con-
elusion her spine was injured.
All that night she suffered great pain, and could
not sleep, and Rupert would not leave her bedside.
Old King Willie prowled around the house. The
faithful fellow could hardly take his eyes off the light
that burnt in her room.
KING WILLIE'S CAVE.
The morning brought Dr. . He would only
have the housekeeper in the room when he made his
examination. The injuries to the spine were serious,
and it was with a grave face he told Mr. Hathrop and
Rupert it would be many'weeks before she could be
removed from Leura.
This was sad news indeed, and poor Rupert
returned to Sydney almost heart-broken, while Mr.
Hathrop remained with his daughter.
Dr. had not told Mr. Hathrop what he most
feared, but he was almost certain in his own mind
that Mary Hathrop would be a cripple for life. There
was & chance for her, but the recovery would be slow
and painful.
As he looked at the young girl, his heart was
touched in spite of long usage to suffering and
misfortune.
So bright and cheerful she had always been, and
even now how bravely she bore what he knew must
be acute pain.
" Poor little thing," he thought; " and engaged to
that fine lad, too. Poor fellow. I'll pull her round
if I can. She shall not be crippled for life if medical
skill can cure her."
He put his hand kindly on Mary's head, and said :
"My brave little woman, you must keep as quiet
and still as you possibly can. I may have to keep
you here for weeks. Promise me for your own sake
and the sake of your father, and "
" Rupert," she said with a smile.
"And Rupert," said the doctor; "you will obey
my instructions implicitly."
io4 BANKER AND BROKER,
"I will, doctor," she said; "am I very seriously
injured ? "
" You are severely hurt, Miss Hathrop. I will not
deceive you, for I know you are no coward. If you
do not obey me implicitly you may be very seriously
injured indeed," he replied.
As the doctor left the house King Willie followed
him. He knew who he was, and why he had come.
" Is she very bad ? " he asked, as he caught up with
the doctor.
Everybody visiting Leura, as Dr. did, knew
King Willie.
"Very bad at present, Willie," he said.
"Will she get better soon? Will she walk
about ? "
" In time. Many weeks before she can."
The old black moaned and walked away.
" Faithful old fellow that," thought the doctor;
"a good deal of the dog about his fidelity."
Next morning Mary, when she woke after a restless
night, saw a beautiful bunch of wild flowers in the
vase on her dressing-table.
When Mrs. Mullen, the housekeeper, came in, she
asked who brought them.
" King Willie," said Mrs. Mullen ; "the old fellow
was up here early this morning with them. Are they
not beautiful ? Those blacks know where to find all
the prettiest wild flowers."
" They are indeed lovely," said Mary. " I must
thank him for them."
" He asked if he might come to your window and
say good morning," said Mrs. Mullen. " There were
KING WILLIE'S CAVE. 105
big tears in his eyes, as he said: ' Give those to my
Miss Mary.'"
" Poor, faithful, old fellow," said Mary. " By all
means let him come."
Mrs. Mullen opened the window and beckoned.
King Willie had been waiting patiently outside the
gate for more than an hour, and he hurried to the
window and his big black face contrasted with the
snowy lace curtains.
" Good morning, Miss Mary. King Willie hopes
you're better."
" Much better, Willie. What lovely flowers you
have brought me. I do love wild flowers," she said.
" King Willie bring lots more. Do anything for
Miss Mary. Never forget her, never."
He was gone again. King Willie was only an
aboriginal, a despised, uneducated black, who had
been trampled underfoot, and his race almost ex-
tinguished by white men, but compared with the
scum of Sydney streets his black skin held a far
grander nature than their degraded brutalised lives
could show.
The accident to Mary Hathrop had saddened
Rupert Melrose's life. Every hour of the day he
thought of her lying suffering on her couch at Leura,
and wished by some great act of self-sacrifice he
could lift the burden that had fallen upon her, and
restore her to health and happiness.
io6 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER X.
ward consults loo key.
Cyril Melrose experienced considerable annoy-
ance through the scratching of Musketry for the
Cup.
No matter how he disclaimed all knowledge of the
affair, people would not believe him, and many of
his friends who had backed the horse on his advice
blamed him for losing their money, and hinted freely
they considered it anything but a gentlemanly,
honourable, or friendly action.
To a man of Cyril's temperament all this was very
annoying.
Instead of Ward keeping faith with him, the
trainer Had thrown the whole of the blame on to
Cyril, and said the sale of his share of Musketry was
merely a blind to deceive the public as to the true
state of affairs.
• Ward had a nice little scheme on hand which
seemed in a fair way of prospering.
No one knew better than he what sort of a horse
Musketry was, and how well he could run even when
he looked big.
Such a good thing did Ward fancy he had in hand
that he determined to let no one stand in with him
with perhaps one exception.
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. 107
The bookmakers, Dickson and Levi, who had paid
Ward well for his share in the Melbourne Cup
business, were not to be taken into his confidence
on the present occasion.
They were to be the victims this time, and as many
more of the fraternity as Ward could manage to
hoodwink. Bookmakers are often hard hit over what
they deem a " dead 'un." Occasionally a horse given
them as a stiff 'un runs in a surprisingly straight-
forward manner, and takes them down. No one
feels sorry for them, because it is a case of the
biter bitten.
To work his game properly Ward felt he must
have a partner.
After mature consideration he fixed upon Loo Key.
The Chinaman was well known in sporting circles,
and when a man has money it is not a matter of
importance what his colour or nationality is.
So Ward paid a visit to Loo Key, and found that
worthy reclining on a luxurious couch taking a well-
earned rest after a night of toil.
" He's coming for opium," thought Key, as he saw
Ward enter.
"What brings you here, Mr. Ward, at this hour of
the day?" asked Loo Key.
"Business," said Ward. "You don't suppose I'd
come to such an infernal hole as this for pleasure, do
you ? "
"Why not?" asked Loo Key. "You take
pleasure in gambling. Have a pipe ? "
" D your pipes," said Ward. " No more
opium for me."
io8 BANKER AND BROKER.
"What's your business?" asked Loo Key, who
scented negotiations for a loan, which he did not
mean to grant so readily as the former one.
Ward glanced round to see if the door was shut,
and Loo Key said:
"No one can hear. The baize door keeps out all
sound."
"You Chinamen have a habit of listening at key-
holes, and poking your noses where- they are not
wanted," said Ward.
" You're polite," said Loo Key, who mentally
resolved to be even with Ward for his insulting
manner.
"Never mind my politeness," said Ward. "It's
not my way to be polite. Do you want to win any
money ? "
The prospect of winning money was always
welcome to Loo Key, and he at once became all
attention, and said:
" Of course I do. What's the little game ? "
" All in good time," said Ward. " First of all I
must find out what arrangement you are willing to
make. This is the best of good things, and we can
make a few thousands comfortably. How much are
you prepared to risk ? "
" I cannot tell until I hear what it is," said Loo Key.
" Will you put up a thousand ? " said Ward.
Loo Key was staggered, This was indeed a big
speculation.
" No," he said, determinedly. "I won't. Not if
it's the best thing in the world. You can't have me
that way, Ward, I know you too well."
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. 109
" Then I'll be off, and find somebody who has not
got such a thick skull. You're a fool, but then all
Chinamen are a bit that way."
Ward took up his hat and made for the door.
"If he can be as independent as that," thought
Loo Key, "he must have something good indeed on."
Aloud he said :
" Stop a minute. Don't be in such a hurry. How
can I promise to put up the large amount you ask
when I have no idea what it is for."
Ward stopped and said :
"Will you put up the money if I prove to you what
a safe thing it is ? "
" It's a large sum," said Loo Key.
"Not for you," said Ward. "You make more than
that in a week with your swindling banks."
" If you tell lies," said Loo Key, " I won't speak to
you at all. My banks are all straight, and you know
they are."
To do the Chinaman justice he acted fairly to the
infatuated gamblers frequenting his den.
Ward sat down again.
" If I can show you how to win over ten thousand for
your one thousand in a week, will you go in with me?"
"Yes," said Lo'o Key.
"That's business," said Ward. "Now look here.
I shall want half to nothing laid me for a start."
"You want everything in your favour," said Loo
Key.
" Of course I do. Never had such a good thing in
my life," said Ward. " If you win ten thousand I get
five. Is that a bargain ? "
no BANKER AND BROKER.
" If it is as good as you say I don't mind even
that," said Loo Key; "but it's a big lump."
"You know my horse Musketry," said Ward.
" Rather," said Loo Key. He knew the horse was
one of the best in the country, and became interested.
" He's my own property now," said Ward.
" Melrose has sold me his share in him back again,
the fool. The horse is as fit now as ever he was in
his life; a shade big, but he always runs well that
way."
" What race are you going for?" saic^Loo Key.
"The Metropolitan," said Ward.
Even Loo Key was staggered at the audacity of
such a proceeding, and said:
"You will have the cheek to start him for that race
after scratching him for the Cup ?"
" And win it, too," said Ward.
"Are you sure you can do it ? " said Loo Key.
"Never had such a good thing in my life. He's
got 8st iolb, and it's a dead bird."
" My eye," said Loo Key. "You are a cunning
one. The people will be fit to lynch you if it comes
off."
" Let 'em try it on," said Ward. "What the devil
do I care for the public. They've never cared much
for me."
" I should think not," thought Loo Key, who then
said :
" So you want me to put a thousand on him, and
lay you five thousand ? "
"Half," said Ward; "you might get a better
average than ten to one."
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. iii
" But he'll be first favourite if they know you fancy
him, and are backing him," said Loo Key.
" No one will know I am backing him," said
Ward ; " I'll take precious good care they know it is
not my money going on. You must put the cash on
yourself."
" Me ? " said Loo Key, astonished.
" Of course. They'll think you're the mug," said
Ward.
" It's risky," said Loo Key.
" No risk at all about it. I tell you the horse can
win easily," said Ward.
"Nonsense," said Loo Key; "it cannot be as
good as that."
"But it is. I know what I'm talking about."
"Then I'll agree to give you five thousand if it
wins, but no more. If I get better odds I shall keep
the other cash," said Loo Key.
"We won't quarrel over that," said Ward ; "you
must go to Dickson and Levi and see what you can
get off them. I shall put them off the scent, and
it* is probable it will leak out that Musketry will
not start. These rumours do get about, and people
will think it quite natural. They will never
suppose the horse will run after being struck out
of the Cup."
"I know both Dickson and Moss Levi," said Loo
Key; " it's a nice little plot you have in hand, I
fancied they did you a good turn over the scratching
for the Cup."
" And themselves a better," said Ward ; " I don't
owe them anything for that."
ii2 BA NKER A ND BROKER.
"You're quite sure you have made no mistake?"
said Loo Key; "if the horse was being trained for
the Cup he will hardly be fit now."
" He'll win right enough. You don't know how
good he is. Blest if I know myself. He surprises me.
I never saw such a galloper in my life."
The bargain was clinched, and Ward went away
perfectly satisfied.
His next business was with Moss Levi, and he
soon gave him to understand that if anyone wished
to back Musketry he could lay as much against the
horse as he liked.
" Will he run ! " asked Levi.
" He may run, but he hasn't a chance of winning.
He's fat as a pig, you can see him for yourself if you
like."
" I'll take your word for it, but it would be safer to
scratch him."
" Can't you see the public won't back him if they
don't expect a run for their money," said Ward.
" Here, read that," and he handed Levi an evening
paper. "We are informed Musketry will start for
the Metropolitan, but we don't fancy his chance, as
he is obviously big in condition."
"I'm working him at Randwick, now," said Ward;
"just to let them see what he is like. He gallops well,
and I know there are some fools sure to have a bit on
such a good one, even if they think he Is not quite fit."
" I'll get what I can out of him, anyway," said Levi.
Ward then met two or three more club men, and
in answer to inquiries said the horse would start, but
had no chance in his present condition. >
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. 113
When Loo Key entered Moss Levi's shop, he
casually inquired the prices of horses in the Melbourne
and Caulfield Cups, and booked one or two doubles.
He was a regular client, and a good backer. He then
asked the prices of sundry horses in the Metropolitan.
"What price Musketry?" he said, as he lighted a
cigar.
Levi looked hard at him as he thought: "Can he
know what's in the wind, and means to have a bit of
chaff?"
" Do you want to back him ? " said Levi.
" I might if I get a fair price. He looks big, but
then he's such a real good horse, and I fancy him."
"Can't lay more than ten to one," said Levi.
"No good," said Loo Key; " lay fifteens, and I'll
talk to you."
" How much do you want on ? "
" Fifty," said Loo Key.
"Five hundred to fifty?" said Levi.
"No. Six hundred."
"Very well. Any more?"
"Why do you ask any more? Perhaps you know
something," said Loo Key, suspiciously.
"No, I don't. You've got a good wager. I'll
double it if you like."
" Very well," said Loo Key; " when I fancy a horse
I don't care what anyone says."
When Loo Key went out of the shop, Levi said to
himself:
"If it had been anyone else backing him for that
amount I should have suspected something, but Ward
isn't the sort of man to know Loo Key."
I
ii4 BANKER AND BROKER.
The Chinaman went to Dickson's and booked
another thousand to a hundred, as he could not get
any more odds.
Before the end of the week he had backed Musketry
to win over fifteen thousand, and so well had he
worked the business, that no one had the least idea
all the money had gone into his hands.
The bookmakers generally thought what fools the
public were, and peppered the horse whenever they
got a chance.
Cyril Melrose saw Musketry's name constantly in
the betting list, but he did not think Ward would
start the horse, and even if he did he could not win-
in his present condition.
" Somebody's backing Musketry heavily," said Phil.
Baxter.
" More fools they," said Cyril.
" I don't know so much about that, Cyril," replied
Phil; "Ward is a dangerous man. He's just the
sort of fellow to pull off a big coup with Musketry in
the Metrop."
" But the horse has no possible chance of winning,"
said Cyril. "You know yourself, Phil, he's too big."
"Some horses run well big," said Phil. "That
Chinaman, Loo Key, I hear, has got a good bit
on him."
Cyril at once thought of the cheque Loo Key had
paid Ward, and jumped to the conclusion that the
trainer was working the same game with the China-
man he had done with himself, namely, telling Loo
Key to back the horse, and then standing in with
the books.
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. 115
"That accounts for it," said Cyril. "I can see
Ward's game now."
"Why," said Phil.
" Because he knows Loo Key, and has probably
told him to back the horse, and at the same time
arranged matters with the books. I have heard he
did that in my case."
" No doubt he did in your case," said Phil. " How
do you know he knows Loo Key ? "
Cyril told him about the hundred pound cheque.
"It may be as you surmise, Cyril, but I fancy Loo
Key is a bit too cute for even Ward. I know the
man. Have had several transactions with him. I
can tell you when Loo Key speculates in shares it's
odds on they go up. I should be inclined to think
they are standing in, and Ward fancies the horse. I
think I'll have a tenner on him, just for luck."
" Do as you please," said Cyril. " I've lost quite
enough over him, and shall send no money to get it
hack. You're wrong, Phil, this time. Loo Key,
depend upon it, has got the tip from Ward, and on
this occasion the wily Chinaman will be on the
wrong side."
If ever there was a mysterious horse in a race it
was Musketry for the Metrop.
Up and down he went in the, market in the most
extraordinary fashion, and actually one night in the
rooms a hundred to one was offered about him, and
luckily the layer escaped booking the price.
The horse did no work to speak of, but an occa-
sional long strong gallop brought him into the
market again.
I 2
116 BANKER AND BROKER.
There was always plenty of money to lay against
him, and the general opinion seemed to be he was a
doubtful starter.
Ward was jubilant; he knew Musketry was all
right, and felt sure of victory. What cared he for
the public. It was Ward's delight to hoodwink the
touts, if possible. He would start the horse at all
kinds of places on the track, and pull off at the end
of a mile, or a mile and a half. The men with
" watches" cursed Ward heartily, for they could
never manage to time the horse, even when he did
an occasional fast gallop. The lad riding him did
not know the weight he had up, and everything was
done to put people off the scent.
Loo Key chuckled in his den as he scooped in the
gold of his gambling"-clients. It pleased him to think
he should win money from these cursed white men.
Although Loo Key had been in Australia for many
years, and could speak English as well as he did his
own language, he hated white men thoroughly.
Every insult heaped upon his countrymen in the
Press, and at public meetings, was stored up in his
memory, and increased his desire for revenge.
It was this constant persecution, and utter contempt
with which he was treated, that made Loo Key add the
gambling den to his more legitimate tea business.
He determined to make these white men feel his
power, and to have power he must, he knew, have
money.
These wholesale denunciations of Chinamen have
produced a baneful effect upon them. They are
not a desirable race, although there are educated
WARD CONSULTS LOO KEY. 117
Chinamen worthy to be treated with every respect.
Too often, however, the vile sins of the most
degraded specimens of the human race are visited
upon Chinamen as a body.
Loo Key's hatred of white men was not unnatural,
for he had suffered much in his younger days at their
hands.
He was an ambitious man, and he found no scope
for that ambition. He was well educated, and bore
a respectable name as a merchant. If he could marry
one of the daughters of the race he hated his revenge
would be complete.
His only chance of marrying as he desired was, he
knew, by purchase. He must buy his wife, and, sad
to say, there are parents willing to sell their daughters
for the gold of such men.
Loo Key's vices were not numerous, and he was
dainty in his choice.
If Musketry won, he, the despised Chinaman, would
take ten thousand from the men he hated, and he
felt certain of victory. It was against his grain to
give Ward five thousand, but he felt that it would
bind the man closer to him, and he might make use
of him in other ways.
With ordinary luck, Loo Key knew that in a year
or two he would be a very wealthy man, and then his
turn would come.
Phil Baxter was right, as usual, when he said if
Loo Key bought stocks it was odds on they went up
in the market.
Phil never underrated any man. He did not look
upon Loo Key as a man of no sense because he was
118 BANKER AND BROKER.
a Chinaman. Far from it. He knew Loo Key was
as sharp as a needle, and cunning as a dingo.
Phil Baxter respected a man who could be as cute
as himself, and he had found Loo Key a keen cus-
tomer to deal with.
It was this feeling made Phil Baxter take a hundred
to ten about Musketry, and then, when chaffed into
it, book another wager at the same price.
He had an idea Loo Key was more than a match
for Ward, and, although he had not much faith in
Musketry, he felt his money would not be thrown
away.
I shall be a bit surprised if the horse wins, but
there are more unlikely things. Racing is a queer
game, and this piece of trickery is about the smartest
I ever came across. Poor old Cyril. Wonder how
he'll feel if Musketry wins the Metrop.
iig
CHAPTER XI.
an unpopular win.
" Musketry twenty to one. Here, I'll lay a
thousand to fifty. Five hundred to a pony."
Such cries could be heard all over the ring at
Randwick on the Metropolitan Day.
It was quite evident Musketry's chance was not
thought much of by the gentlemen of the magic circle.
When Loo Key heard the odds on offer, he sought
out Ward, and asked him what he should do.
" Shall I put more on ? It looks bad. I have not got
such odds. You're not playing the double, are you ? "
"Not a bit of it," said Ward; "but our very good
friends seem to have an idea he will be scratched at
the last moment. They scent another Melbourne
Cup business. If I had any money I'd take another
thousand or two at those odds."
"Would you?" said Loo Key.
" Rather. Twenty to one about an even money
chance. That's what it amounts to, my friend of the
Flowery Land."
" But he couldn't win on Saturday," said Loo Key,
doubtfully, as he thought over the horse's ignominious
defeat on that day.
" He didn't win, you mean," said Ward. " My
most innocent Key this is becoming quite interesting.
BANKER AND BROKER.
Our very good friends the books fancy he didn't win
on Saturday because he could not. Of course I never
told them such was not the case. Bless their san-
guine hearts, they fancy they know such a lot."
" You're a cunning one, Ward," said Loo Key, with
evident admiration for his worthy friend's scheming.
" Not a bit of it. I don't think he could have won.
The horse that won that race will win the Cup."
"Nonsense," said Loo Key, opening his eyes wide.
" Fact, I assure you. The gallop did Musketry all
the good in the world, and he will win to-day right
enough. Put a couple of hundred more on him."
" I will," said Loo Key.
" And then when you've done that, take a thousand
to fifty for me," said Ward.
" You have got quite enough already," said Key.
" My dear opium merchant, you are mistaken. All
my spare cash has gone on the horse. I think you
had better put me that fifty on. He'll run all the
better when I whisper the fact in his ear."
Loo Key grinned unpleasantly, but he said :
"Very well. You shall stand in another thousand."
"That's better," said Ward. " I have come to the
conclusion that you are a very sensible man."
It had been Cyril Melrose's intention not to go to
the races, but the temptation was too strong, and he
went.
He did not believe Ward would have the audacity
to start the horse, much less win with him.
Phil Baxter had been keeping Loo Key in sight,
and when he left Ward he followed him, and saw him
back Musketry several times.
AN UNPOPULAR WIN. 121
"This is a rum game," said Phil to himself. "If
Cyril would not be so pig-headed he might win more
than he has lost. I hate a man who won't listen to
reason. No one will ever catch me cutting off my
nose to spite my face. I'll take that ' childlike and
bland' gentleman's tip, and have a hundred to five
again. Hallo ! Cyril, here you are. I'm going to
have another fiver on this stiff customer."
"You're a fool if you do," said Cyril. "If the
horse had a chance he would have won that weight-
for-age race on Saturday."
" Don't believe the beggar tried," said Phil. " I
don't often lose my temper, Cyril, but by Jove you're
enough to make a saint perform wonders in the way
of big language. Here's this chap Ward playing one
of the cutest games I ever saw, and you won't be in
with him. Why man, alive, it's a chance you will
never get again."
" You have got hold of the wrong end of the
business," said Cyril. " I tell you I know Ward too
well. He's in with the books, and that flat of a
Chinaman will lose his money."
" Don't you believe it," replied Phil. " Loo Key's
no flat. As a rule a Chinaman of that individual's
calibre is worth five ordinary Britishers. Ward is
standing in with him, and for once in a way the
books will be the victims. I know it does not sound
feasible that a bookmaker should ever be victimised,
but I am open to bet some of them will get a nasty
knock over this business. One thing, they can
afford it, and before the year is out they will get it
all back with interest."
122 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Yes ; certainly, you- can book me a hundred to
five," went on Phil to a bookmaker who had asked
him if he would back Musketry.
"Come and have a look at the horse and see for
yourself," said Cyril.
" Shan't know much more if I do see him," said
Phil. " I'd sooner back Ward than the horse."
Musketry certainly did not look fit to run. The
knowing ones voted him more like a lord of the
harem than a horse in training to run a fast two
miles. Already he showed signs of sweating, and
his neck and chest were wet.
" There's a beauty to run two miles," said Cyril;
" he'll be nearer last than first. Come along, Phil,
I'm going to have a pony on the favourite, Harold."
The half hour before the race had struck, and
Musketry was not scratched.
Still the books laid him whenever they got a chance,
and occasionally backers were found sanguine
enough to take the long odds.
Musketry swept down the course in his prelim-
inary gallop with the foam flying around him, and
very few people took much notice of him.
"Now, what do you think of him?" said Cyril, as
he stood next to Phil Baxter in the stewards' stand.
"Just as much as I did before," said Phil. "He
moves well enough."
No need to describe the race.
People could hardly believe their eyes. A horse
with nearly nine stone on its back cutting out the
pace at that rate, and sailing along at the head of the
field as though he meant stopping there.
AN UNPOPULAR WIN.
Could it be possible that half-trained stallion
could last two miles in such condition ?
Nonsense, he must fall back, and then glasses
were levelled on the favourite, Harold, to see when
he would make his run, and cut this outsider down.
The favourite did make his run. His jockey
seemed to have suddenly come to the conclusion
that Musketry was a little too far away, and it was
quite time he ought to show that he was not going
to have matters all his own way.
So Harold's jockey shook his mount up, and was
soon on Musketry's girth.
" I told you so," said Cyril; " see the favourite's
tackled him. It's all over."
" Not a bit of it," said Phil; " Musketry's going as
well as ever."
" Wait until they are fairly in the straight," said
Cyril.
They did wait, and then it suddenly dawned
upon the bookmakers that the "dead 'un" was
running uncommonly like a winner.
" By if he's sold us I'll be even with the
beggar," said Moss Levi, and he was not the only
one who registered a similar vow.
At the distance Musketry came sailing away, and,
galloping well within himself, won the Metropolitan
by a good three lengths, while the favourite struggled
in third.
At first the crowd seemed unable to realise the fact.
Here was the horse they had already dropped
their money on for the Melbourne Cup literally
making a show of his field, and only half fit.
124 BANKER AND BROKER.
Then it dawned upon them that they had been
sold.
Backers object to being sold, and when they are
angry have sundry ways of showing their displeasure.
As Musketry came into the weighing ring there
was a dead silence.
When Ward took hold of his head with a
triumphant smile on his face it was too much for
flesh and blood to stand.
A howl of indignant discordant sounds, growing
louder and louder, seemed to make the course ring
with noise.
"Swindle." "Blackguard." "Thieves." "Warn
him off," &c., were some of the expressions hurled at
Ward by the infuriated crowd round the railing.
Then a regular volley of groans and hootings of all
descriptions were poured forth.
Ward seemed to take no notice of this, but he knew
very well what it meant, although he did not care a
straw for the opinion of the people.
A rush was made for the gate to see Musketry
come out. As Ward led the horse towards the
opening the gatekeeper said :
" I'd advise you to wait a bit, Mr. Ward."
"Not I," said Ward. "What do I care for the
howling blackguards!" and he led the horse out.
His audacity seemed to have a good effect on the
crowd. It is wonderful what one cool man can do
in the midst of an excited multitude.
'" Here, stand aside," shouted Ward. " Let the
horse come through. He's a bit fresh, and he might
damage a few of you."
AN UNPOPULAR WIN. 125
He suddenly jerked Musketry's bridle, and the
horse became restive, and seemed inclined to lash out.
"Hanging's too good for you," said a man close to
Ward.
The trainer pushed him aside and went on.
Matters were becoming serious when a couple of
policemen came up and endeavoured to keep back the
crowd.
" Let 'em alone," shouted Ward. " They won't
harm me. It's not me they're after. Why don't
they get at the owner."
"You're the owner," yelled three or four men near
enough to hear the words.
"Am I?" said Ward. "That's all you know
about it."
"Who scratched him for the Cup?" shouted
another.
" I did," said Ward. " Must obey orders."
Eventually Ward got the horse to the sheds, and
as he watched him being rubbed down the crowd
continually jeered at him.
There had never been a more unpopular win at
Randwick.
Cyril Melrose was terribly mortified at the success
of the horse, and his anger against Ward knew no
bounds.
The man had behaved shamefully, and had doubly
swindled him.
Phil Baxter did not envy his friend's feelings, and
thought silence was the best.
They walked across the paddock, and almost un-
consciously came near the crowd round Musketry.
126 BANKER AND BROKER.
Ward was having an altercation with two or three
excited people, and when he caught sight of Cyril
suddenly stopped, pointed at him, and said:
" If you want to know why Musketry was scratched
for the Cup, ask him. He's the owner."
Now, many people frequenting the racecourses
knew Cyril Melrose was reported to be at least part
owner of Musketry, if not the sole owner.
Ward's words acted like a lighted match applied-to
a bundle of straw, and always ready to find a fresh
object on which to vent their spleen, the crowd
turned on Cyril.
Both Phil Baxter and Cyril heard Ward's words,-
and the latter said, as he advanced towards him: -
" You scoundrel. How dare you tell such infamous
lies," and he raised his fist as though he would strike
him.
"Come away, Cyril," said Baxter. " Dotl't talk to
the blackguard. He isn't worth it. Everybody
•knows what he says is a d— lie."
But Cyril was excited, and would not be calmed
down.
" I'll make you pay for this," he said to Ward.
"Boo hoo,".yelled the crowd, and several of them
jostled Cyril and Baxter.
"Stand back," said Phil. "If you don't-know,
manners we shall have to teach you."
"You're worse than he is," said one man, pointing
at Cyril.
"It's a cursed swindle, that's -what: it .is. You-
swells are no better than other folks. You're a lot of
beastly robbers."
AN UNPOPULAR WIN. 127
" Come away," said Phil, and he dragged Melrose
along.
"You ought to be chucked out of the paddock. How
much did the bookmakers give you to scratch him ? "
"Nice man to run a bank you are."
Such expressions of opinion were hurled at them
as they went away, and Cyril fairly boiled with rage.
It was not an enviable position for a man in his
circumstances to be placed in, and he felt it keenly.
Not only had he been duped himself, but other people
fancied he had duped them, and the impression would
be hard to dispel.
The scene would, no doubt, be exaggerated in the
papers. Some budding journalist anxious to create
a sensation would work it up in glowing language.
It would be all over Sydney to-night, that Cyril Mel-
rose had been hooted at for scratching Musketry for
the Cup, and then having the cheek to win the
Metrop. His conduct would be severely commented
upon, and the general verdict of "serve him right"
be passed.
Cyril felt he could not blame the crowd. Had they
known all the circumstances it might have been
different. It was very hard he should be made to
suffer for the deeds of such a man as Ward, but he
could see no help for it.
What he dreaded most came to pass next morning.
Mr. Hathrop spoke to him on the subject and ex-
pressed his regret that Cyril should have acted in
such a manner.
Cyril explained everything, and this eased Mr.
Hathrop's mind, but he said :
128 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Why did you go to the course at all ? There was no
occasion for you to do so. If you had remained away
nothing of this painful nature would have happened."
"I know it was foolish," said Cyril, "but I had no
idea that Ward would dare to win with the horse. I
never even thought he would run him."
" Let this be a warning to you, Melrose," said Mr.
Hathrop. " In future I should avoid such company."
" I will," replied Cyril. " Depend upon it, I have
had a severe and unpleasant lesson."
Cyril's wife felt deeply the humiliation put upon
her husband.
She had fancied him weaned frorn his infatuation
for the turf, and now she saw he still hankered after
his old love.
Flora Melrose was not a woman to upbraid or
lecture her husband. She gave him a few kind words
of advice, and he even chafed at this.
That something was radically wrong with him, Mrs.
Melrose felt convinced. It was more than mere
racing troubles, and she trembled to think how far he
had gone. She could not bear the suspense, or to
see Cyril dull,and moody, he who was always bright,
loving, and cheerful. Then Rupert had his troubles,
and was in sore distress about Mary, and she* had to
comfort him.
" Cyril, what troubles you ? " she said one night as
she leaned over his chair.
"Nothing, Flora. What makes you think I am
troubled?" he asked.
" I am sure you are not yourself, Cyril," she said.
"I have been anxious about you. Do not let that
AN UNPOPULAR WIN. 129
vile racecourse scene haunt you. Put it away, and
think no more about it."
" It is not that," said Cyril. " I had forgotten all
about it, Flora."
" Then what is it ? Let me share your trouble. I
am your wife, and I have the right to know all about
it," she said.
" I'm not very well, that is all, Flora," he replied.
"You may not be well," she said, "but your mind
is troubled, as well as your body. Has anything
annoyed you at the bank ? Is all right there ? "
He started and looked at her, and then dropped
his eyes, as he said, angrily:
" Of course all is right at the bank. What on
earth put such a silly fancy into your head ? What
do you suppose is wrong there ? You don't fancy I am
about to bolt with the contents of the safe, do you?"
"Cyril, don't. You pain me. Such a thing could
never happen. What I meant was, had anyone in
the bank offended you?" .
"No," he said. "Do not bother me any more,
Flora. I've quite enough of the bank when I'm there,
and don't care about talking of it when I come
home."
She said no more. A feeling of undefinable dread
seemed to have come over her„ The heavy clouds
denoted the approaching storm, and Flora Melrose
felt she was groping in darkness. There was a
mystery she could not fathom.
She never doubted her husband. Had anyone
hinted to her he could do wrong, she would have
repelled the accusation with scorn.
K
I30 BANKER AND BROKER.
Flora Melrose had gone out of the room, and
Rupert was talking with his father.
As she was returning, she heard her son say :
" I wish you would have a glance over Marie and
Co's account, father. There's been a mistake in it, I
think."
Through the half-opened door she saw her hus-
band's face.
Cyril had suddenly turned white as a ghost, and a
hunted frightened look had come into his eyes. It
was a few moments before he replied. To her his
voice seemed strange, as he said:
" You must he mistaken, Rupert. Marie and Co's
account is all right. I have paid particular attention
to it on account of the large overdraft. I will look
through it again, but I am sure it is correct." .
" If you have had it in hand I am sure it is,
father," said Rupert, smiling. " I'm only a young
man and, perhaps, over-anxious."
" Oh, I can make mistakes," said Cyril. " I'm not
infallible. What a grand night. I'll have a cigar."
They went outside and did not know Mrs. Melrose
had heard their conversation.
She tried not to think about it, but could not
banish the doubts that had arisen in her mind.
Cyril Melrose was at the bank early next morning,
and the first thing he did was to examine Marie and
Co's account.
It was evidently in need of correction, for he made
several alterations, and was occupied for over an
hour with it.
3
CHAPTER XII.
a patient sufferer.
Mary Hathrop still remained at Leura, and the
doctor's orders were peremptory, " she must not be
moved at present."
At times she was in great pain, and she had to
remain quite still and in one position.
The view down the mountain ranges from her win-
dow was exquisitely lovely, and the sufferer feasted
her eyes upon it, and a great longing came into her
heart to be strong and well again, so that she could
enjoy to the full the natural beauties of the country.
She had been invalided a month now, and seemed
no better. True, the pain was nearly gone when she
lay quite still, but the moment she attempted to move
the agony was more than she could bear.
Mary had asked her father to allow King Willie to
become a recognised member of the household at
Leura, and the request had been granted.
The old man, however, would not forsake his cave.
He remained at Leura all day, but when night came
he wandered back to the home Nature had provided
him with. For hours he would talk to Mary Hathrop
through the open window.
The old black's strange weird stories pleased her,
and his plain language was at times even picturesque
K 2
132 BANKER AND BROKER.
and poetic. He had some beautiful thoughts, which
if expressed by a cultured man would have astonished
the world.
" See, Miss Mary," said Willie. " Beautiful flowers.
They grow all around my cave."
He placed a splendid bunch of wild flowers through
the window on her table, near which she reclined on
an easy couch.
" Thank you very much, Willie. How fresh and
beautiful they are. Where did you get that lovely
white lily ? "
"Found a big plant near the cave," said Willie.
" This is the only one on it."
It was indeed a grand flower. Pure white, with a big-
yellow centre, and surrounded by large green leaves.
" That flower is like you, Miss Mary. White and
pure, and oh, so good. The Good Spirit of the
Mountains loves those flowers. He made that one
grow for you last night. It was not there yesterday.
I often hear the Good Spirit in my cave, Miss
Mary."
" Do you, Willie ? And have you ever seen the
Good Spirit of the Mountains?"
" Only once," said King Willie, in an awe-struck
voice. "Very few can look upon him and live. But
the Good Spirit would not harm -King Willie," the
old fellow said proudly.
"We have a Good Spirit, Willie," said Mary.
" He watches over us day and night."
"No," said Willie. "Not like our Good Spirit.
Why did your Good Spirit not watch over you, Miss
Mary, so you did not fall, and have to lie here?"
A PATIENT SUFFERER.
"We must not question why he did so," said
Mary. "What he does cannot be wrong."
"It is," persisted Willie, "only bad people should
suffer, not you, Miss Mary. You are good, oh, so good."
" And does your Spirit of the Mountains never let
you suffer, Willie ? " asked Mary.
"The Bad Spirit makes King Willie troubled, and
then the Good Spirit chases him away and all is right
again."
"Tell me how you first saw your Spirit of the
Mountains, Willie?" said Mary.
" Long, long ago, Miss Mary," said King Willie.
" It seems so very long ago. I was a king then, and
had a large tribe. All gone now, not one left but
poor Willie. White men have driven us away.
White men have stolen our lands, and forbidden us
to camp on the ground they have taken from us.
Long time ago, Miss Mary, I first saw the Good Spirit
of the Mountains."
"The tribe had come over the mountains, and we
were camped near my cave, King Willie's cave. We
were in great trouble, Miss Mary. Sickness was m
the camp, and many of us were taken away to the
Spirit Land. I fell ill, Miss Mary, and they placed
me in the cave, and left me to die."
" Left you to die, Willie. How cruel," said Mary.
" I commanded them," said Willie. " I asked the
Good Spirit of the Mountains to sacrifice me, and
spare the tribe. It was night. A beautiful moon
came through the trees, and pierced into the cave.
I felt strong, and as my strength came I got up and
walked out. Down in the hollow I saw the lily bed
134 BANKER AND BROKER.
where I plucked that flower, Miss Mary. Something
told me to go down there, and I went. I sat and
watched one of these great flowers. It moved.
There was no breeze, and I could not tell what moved
it. Then it seemed to open, and I was in great
terror, but could not go away. I saw a face come out
of the heart of the lily. Such a grand face, Miss Mary.
The. eyes looked at me, and I heard a voice say:
* King Willie, you shall not die, and the tribe shall
live.' Then it vanished.
" Still I could not move. Suddenly a hundred lilies
seemed to spring out of the earth, and each one had
in its heart a shining face. All the faces were tufned
toward the lily I had first seen open, and then I knew it
was the Good Spirit of the Mountains, and I trembled.
" None of our tribe had ever seen the Spirit and
lived. Then I knew these flowers were the dwelling
place of the spirits, and only the pure and good should
touch them. Miss Mary, there is a deadly power in
those flowers. They will not harm you. Have no
fear. You are good and they will not do you harm.
I have seen those flowers poison a strong -man in a
few hours. It is not the flowers, but .the Spirit of the
Mountains in them. They are his weapons of war.
He kills with the lilies. When the Spirit is out of the
flowers, they are harmless. Miss Mary, I will never
leave my cave where I first saw the Spirit of the
Mountains. It would be wrong for me to go away
from it."
Mary was much interested in King Willie's tale.
" Thank you for the story, Willie," she said. " It
is very beautiful."
A PATIENT SUFFERER. 135
When Rupert came to see her she told it to him,
and he also thought King Willie a favoured person to
have seen the Good Spirit of the Mountains.
" I do wish you were well again, Mary," he said.
"I long to have you near me. You seem so far away
from us all, at Leura."
" Rupert," said Mary, fondly, as she put her hand
on his arm, " do you love me very, very much ? "
" My darling, you know I do," he said, as he
leaned over and kissed her .cheek.
" You must not love me too much, Rupert," she
said, with a faint smile.
" Why, Mary ? Surely I could never love you too
much," he questioned.
"Rupert, sometimes the thought comes to me that
I shall never be well again."
" Mary," he said, " don't talk like that. Why, you
will be your own bright merry self in a few weeks."
"I hope so for your sake, Rupert. Think, love, if
I should always be a cripple. The spine injured
is very dangerous. What could be done then,
Rupert ? "
" It would make no difference to me, Mary. I
should love you even more than I do now if that
were possible."
" That would be very wrong," said Mary. " We
could not marry, Rupert, and I should not be doing
right to keep you to your promise."
" Mary, you must not talk like this—indeed you
must not. There's no danger. The doctor told me
it was only a matter of time. Even if such a
calamity did befall us. I should never give you up.
136 banker and broker.
No, Mary, I would sooner be as we are now for ever
than give you up."
" It is too good of you, Rupert, too generous. I
do not deserve such love," she said.
" You deserve a thousand times better love than
mine," he said. " But let us banish such gloomy
thoughts. Why, when the year has turned round
you will have forgotten the accident and the pain,
and all will be well again."
" I hope so, Rupert, for your sake I hope so."
Rupert Melrose found his greatest pleasure in
Mary's society, and his visits to Leura were of
frequent occurrence. He thought she would soon be
herself again. He could not bear to think she might
be an invalid for life as she had hinted. He could
not get rid of the idea altogether, but he was deter-
mined, come what might, nothing should part him from
Mary Hathrop. He would devote his life to her.
Rupert Melrose seemed older than his years. He
had an old head on young shoulders. He was
rapidly rising in the bank, and his character was of
the best.
Rupert had been sorely puzzled over the account
of Marie and Co.
It was the only one he had failed to thoroughly
master. When he went through it again after he
had spoken to his father on the subject, he found
several alterations had been made, and in his father's
handwriting.
He went into the account closely, because he
thought if his father had found it necessary to make
alterations someone must have committed an error.
A PATIENT SUFFERER.
As he pored over the mass of figures he became
deeply interested, and did not notice his father had
come up to him.
"You seem in a deep study, Rupert. What are
you doing ? " said Cyril Melrose.
" I see you have made some alterations in these
accounts, father, and I wanted to see where they had
been wrong."
"They were in a bit of a mess," said Cyril, "but
they're all right now. Marie and Co. have a big
overdraft. We shall have to call some of it in."
" That's what puzzled me," said Rupert. " I
couldn't make head nor tail of that overdraft, but it
appears all plain enough now."
" Don't bother any more about it," said Cyril.
" Marie and Co's account concerns me, and as I have
allowed them such a big latitude I must mind what
they are about."
But when Cyril Melrose returned to the manager's
private room, he sat down at the table and buried
his face in his hands.
" It will come. It must come. I see no help for
it," he thought, "unless by some great stroke of luck
I can recoup myself. Something tells me I shall win
money. Let me see, if Commotion wins the Cup I
shall be all right. If not—well, the crash must come.
I'm sure he is the better horse, although Plausible
is so heavily backed. Then there is Malua, but
Pearson's crack must beat him, I think. Everything
seems to be going wrong. Speculations turn out
badly on all sides. More money will have to go.
Another five thousand will tide me over for a month,
138 BANKER AND BROKER.
and then I shall know the worst. It will be a sad
end of all my schemes if I fail. What will Flora
think? It will almost kill her. True, I have made
provision for her, and she will not want, but that is not
all. She will feel the disgrace more than anything."
" And Rupert, my boy, what will he do ? I fancy
Hathrop would be merciful to him. He is a hard
man, but just, -and would not visit the sin of the
father upon the child. What a blow it would be for
Rupert, and then there is his marriage with Mary.
That would most assuredly be broken off. In her
present state of health it would be as well if such
were the case. Phil Baxter, what would he say?
Phil is a man of the world, but he would be more
charitable towards me than the hypocrites I see here
every day. Grasping, greedy people who call them-
selves Christians on Sundays, and do the work of the
devil, their master, all the week."
" Ah, well, it is no use anticipating the evil day.
I may as well be as merry as I can while it lasts, but
there is a heavy load here," and Cyril Melrose placed
his hand on his heart.
"Mr. Audrey wishes to see you, sir," said the
messenger.
" Show him in," said Cyril.
Mr. Audrey, the head of the firm of Marie and Co.,
was not a prepossessing man. He was a keen,
shrewd, business man, but hardly a gentleman. He
did not like Cyril Melrose, and Cyril reciprocated the
feeling.
"We had a letter from you about an overdraft,"
said Audrey. " We cannot pay any off yet."
A PATIENT SUFFERER.
" I have no doubt we can arrange about that," said
Cyril. " What I more particularly wished your firm
to understand was that no further advances could be
made."
" Indeed," said Audrey. " I should have thought
our firm was good enough for a much larger amount
than we are indebted to you at present."
" No doubt whatever about that," said Cyril.
" Money is tight, however."
"Very well. Then there is no question of paying
off yet."
" No," said Cyril. " We will let that stand over."
" Curious man and dangerous," thought Cyril, as
he went out. " Marie and Co. may be a highly re-
spectable firm. I hope it is a sound concern."
Once more Cyril was wrapt in thought. He was
evidently plotting and planning some new scheme to
keep him out of his difficulties.
He went out and walked to Baxter's office.
"Well, Melrose, what brings you here?" said
Phil.
" Business," said Cyril. " I want you to do me a
favour, Phil."
" What is it? " asked Baxter.
" I'm short of money," said Cyril.
" So am I," replied Phil. " Never was so short
before. Cannot lay my hands on any amount of
ready cash."
This was Phil Baxter's usual way of meeting a
loan request when he saw it coming. Phil was a
real good fellow when you knew him thoroughly, but
he took a lot of understanding. He had one strong
14© BANKER AND BROKER,
point. He never lent or borrowed money if he could
possibly help it. In the course of business he ad-
vanced some thousands occasionally, but when it was
in a mining venture he did not count it as a loan
transaction. To lend money even to his most inti-
mate friend went against Baxter's grain. He knew
well enough that a loan meant in many cases loss of
friendship.
Cyril knew Baxter, and also knew what he meant
when he said he was short of money.
" Sorry it's as bad as that, Phil, for I am in a real
tight fix. If you will not help me out, I don't know
where I shall go. It is such a delicate matter. I
would not let an ordinary Israelite know of it for the
world."
" So I'm a Jew," said Phil Baxter, somewhat
bitterly. " Not an ordinary Israelite, but an extra-
ordinary hard one, I suppose that's what you mean."
" Nothing of the kind, Phil. Don't be a fool. You
know my opinion of you. Should I come to you now
and ask for your help if I placed you in that
category ? " I have come to you because you are the
only man I can thoroughly trust."
" If you want money, why not get it from the
bank? " said Baxter; " they will advance it to you."
" But I should be sorry to let them know I wanted
it," said Cyril.
" Of course you would. I never thought of that,"
said Phil. " How much do you want—a few pounds
or a few hundred ? "
"Neither," said Cyril.
" Eh !" said Baxter, looking keenly at him.
A PATIENT SUFFERER,. 141
" A few thousands," said Cyril, quietly.
" Then you are beyond my help," said Baxter.
" How on earth can I lend you a few thousands? "
" You can if you will, Phil," said Cyril.
Baxter came across the room, placed his hand on
Cyril's arm, looked him straight in the face, and said :
"What's wrong, Melrose? If there is anything
wrong, tell me, and I will see what I can do for you."
" Oh, there's nothing serious, Phil. Don't be so
confoundedly in earnest. I only want a matter of
five thousand pounds."
" That is a large sum," said Baxter. He knew
Cyril was concealing something from him, and it did
not improve his temper. He hated to be trifled with.
Had Cyril Melrose confessed all his troubles at that
moment it would have saved him much sorrow, and
also saved all connected with him. Phil Baxter was
rich—very rich—much wealthier than people gave
him credit for. He would have helped Cyril with
half his fortune had he trusted him. Why would Phil
Baxter have done this ? No one knew but himself,
and he knew he would have done it to save Cyril
Melrose's wife a moment's trouble or anxiety.
"Will you let me have it?" said Cyril.
"No," said Baxter, "you have no right to ask me
for such a sum."
" I can give you security," said Cyril, with a slight
almost imperceptible sneer.
Baxter saw it, and felt hurt, but he merely said :
" What security?"
" Bellevue's worth five thousand I should think,"
replied Cyril.
142 BANKER AND BROKER.
Phil Baxter was so astonished he could not reply
for a moment. When he recovered himself he said :
" You would never mortgage your home, Melrose.
Surely you would not do that."
" No help for it," said Cyril. " Besides, it is only
for a time. I shall be able to clear it off again soon.
Now, you see why I did not want to go to an ordinary
Israelite."
" I can hardly believe you, Melrose. Are you in
earnest ? "
" Yes," replied Cyril. " Unfortunately I am. If
you do not advance me the money I must get it
elsewhere."
" Let me think the matter over for a few minutes,"
said Baxter.
" All right," replied Cyril. " I am going down the
street. I will look in as I come back, and see what
you have decided."
"He'll advance the money right enough," he thought.
No sooner had Cyril left his office than Baxter was
a changed man. He looked as though some calamity
had fallen upon him.
" Mortgage Bellevue. Borrow money on her home.
I can hardly believe it," he said to himself; " and
yet he means it. I saw it in his *look. What can
have happened? Is all right at the bank? Great
heavens, if anything happened there it would kill
her. Why will he not tell me all. I know he is con-
cealing something. What can I do in the dark like
this ? Let me think. If I let him have the money
without a mortgage on Bellevue he might get one from
somebody else to raise more. That would not be
A PATIENT SUFFERER. 143
safe. No, I will lend him the money, and hold his
mortgage. Then, she will be safe, at all events.
Her home shall not go from her if I can help it.
Cyril will think me mean and sordid, no doubt, but
he will give me the mortgage. Some day perhaps
he will see I did it for the best, and will thank me
for it."
When Cyril Melrose returned he said :
"Made up your mind, Phil? Can you scrape the
money together ? "
" On the security you offer, yes," said Baxter.
Cyril looked surprised. He had not anticipated
Phil would accept or take such a security. He said :
" Of course, I will give you the security I offered,
but I hardly expected you would request it. However,
beggars must not be choosers, and I know you are a
great man for thorough-going business transactions."
" It will be more satisfactory to both of us," said
Phil.
The deeds were duly handed over to Phil Baxter,
and Cyril Melrose received his five thousand pounds.
The transaction was an ordinary one, but it had
grave consequences.
Flora Melrose little thought that her old admirer,
Phil Baxter, was the ostensible owner of the home
she loved so well. Had she known it she would have
been sorely troubled. She might even have thought
ill of Baxter's motives. Flora Melrose did not know
Phil Baxter's nature. Very few people did. Had
they done so they would have been surprised to see
how wrong they had been in forming their estimate
of him.
144 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XIII.
malua's cup.
Most Australians remember Malua's Cup, and how
he beat that grand horse Commotion, while Plausible
finished third.
It was indeed hard lines for the Hon. W. Pearson
to run second and third, and to be beaten by such a
grand horse as Malua. Exceedingly bad luck to
meet such a horse, for with Malua out of the way
Commotion and Plausible would have been first and
second instead of second and third. Malua was well
backed for the event, and the victory was popular,
but had Commotion won, their jfty would have known
no bounds. Commotion was a great public idol,
such as Carbine has been during the past few
years, and the public dearly love to see their pet
fancy win.
Malua's Cup was fraught with vital importance to
Cyril Melrose and his family.
When Malua passed the winning post in front of
Commotion it meant the downfall of Cyril's hopes to
recoup himself, and it meant that a sad calamity
was to come upon the little household at Bellevue.
Every year some such calamity takes place, and
while excited thousands are hailing the Cup winner's
MALUA'S CUP.
i45
return to scale, sad hearts are beating for heavy
losses, which mean ruin, and in some cases disgrace.
And yet it is unfair to blame our great national
sport for the misery it occasionally causes.
It is not the sport, but the mad passion for
gambling which works the mischief. It is the desire
to acquire wealth, easily and rapidly, without taking
thought upon the attendant risks.
Heavy gamblers will lose thousands on a race, and
when the crash comes the sport, not the men, is
blamed.
Turf censors forget that all business has become
more or less gambling, and the Stock Exchange is
responsible for more ruined homes than the turf.
Why should millions of people be deprived of their
national sport because a few infatuated gamblers are
ruined by it through their own spendthrift ways.
These men are not supporters of the turf. The
reckless gambler does as much harm to racing as the
drunkard does to the publican.
Cyril Melrose had become a reckless gambler. He
had during the past four or five years lost much of
the clear-headedness which secured him the important
position he held in the bank. Success at first had
encouraged him to make bolder plunges. It often
happens that phenomenal luck attends the first efforts
of a gambler.
A man strange to a racecourse will often single
out winners, and back them when he has not the
faintest idea of their actual chances.
I once knew a man who backed a horse for a
certain race because it bore the same name as a
L
i46 banker and broker.
favourite dog. The horse in question actually started
at fifty to one, and won in a canter.
Cyril Melrose had extraordinary luck when he first
commenced to gamble in earnest.
Then came reverses, but with the blind faith of the
gambler, Micawber - like, still thought something
would turn up to stop the gap.
However, nothing came to his help, and he
gradually got deeper and deeper into the mire.
Then his great temptation came. He was the
trusted manager of a large bank, whose business he
had increased a hundred per cent. Unlimited con-
fidence was placed in him; it was a case of "the
king can do no wrong." Whatever he did pleased
the directors, and never had a man such opportunities
to use other people's money.
In judging Cyril Melrose do not be too harsh or
too hasty. Consider his case in all its bearings.
The directors of the bank were certainly culpable
in allowing him such a free hand. They ought to
have kept the reins-tighter, and not given him so much
of his head. Bank directors cannot be too careful in
this respect. They are not appointed to draw their
fat salaries and say nothing. They are placed in
responsible positions to look after the interests of the
shareholders and depositors, and all who transact
business with them.
Cyril Melrose was not a man of very strong
character. I think I have made that clear. Had
Phil Baxter been in his place it would have been
different, for Baxter had a much more self-reliant
nature.
MALUA'S CUP.
147
No man ever had a greater temptation placed
within his reach than Cyril Melrose.
Here was the bank's money at his disposal to
speculate with as he thought fit. This may seem
improbable to some people, and bankers may deny
any such license being granted to a manager, yet
such was the case with Cyril Melrose. There was
nothing to hinder him spending a few thousands in
one of his own speculations ostensibly for the benefit
of the bank. That was the great temptation. The
ease with which he could handle the money, and the
improbability of any discovery being made that could
affect him. He hesitated before he used the money
of the bank for his own purposes. He had a hard
battle with himself. He argued the matter out, and
tried to convince himself he was about to do no
wrong..
When a man tries to argue against his own
conscience he is lost. His arguments may defeat his
conscience to some extent, but they can never prove
to him what he knows to be wrong is right.
Cyril Melrose defeated his conscience in argument,
but when he used the bank's money for his own
purpose he knew he was doing wrong.
He had no intention of defrauding the bank. Had
such a thing been hinted at he would have repudiated
it with scorn. He argued and convinced himself the
money he speculated with would increase the funds
of the bank. If his gambling turned out well he
would repay the bank with interest far larger than
could be obtained by other means. Why should he
not advance himself money ? Was it riskier than
L 2
148 BANKER AND BROKER.
advancing it to others? False arguments he used,
but they eased his conscience. Once he commenced
to use the money of the bank in this way it became
easier to him every time he had any necessity to do
so. Gradually, but surely, the amount increased.
He made further inroads on the funds in order to get
back what he had lost. This had been going on for
four or five years, and in that time a large amount of
money had gone.
In Malua's year matters had reached a crisis, and
Cyril Melrose knew that something must be speedily
done to avoid discovery.
He must' make one more desperate effort, and he
trusted to such a frail reed as a horse to pull him
through. Had Musketry been his sole property he
would, without doubt, have won the Cup and
an enormous stake, and been a safe instead of a
ruined man.
When Musketry was scratched and his money
lost, Cyril had selected Commotion as the horse to
pull him through.
He had gone for a great stake on the champion,
and, despite the rumours as to Plausible being the
better horse, he stuck gallantly to his own fancy, and
so far as it went the result proved he was correct.
Cyril Melrose saw the race for the Cup, and saw
Malua snatch victory from Commotion.
It was indeed terribly hard luck to see the horse
that would have saved his reputation run second. It
was still harder luck to think had not Commotion
been sacrificed in Plausible's interests he might have
won.
MALUA'S CUP.
149
Malua's Cup ! How it rang in his ears. What did
Malua's Cup mean to him ?
He left the course after the race, drove straight to
the station, and caught the express to Sydney.
What a journey it was ! He never forgot it. As
he tossed restlessly in his sleeping berth he was
haunted with the dread of discovery.
Cyril Melrose, the trusted bank manager! How
envious people would gloat over his fall. How men
he had not taken the trouble to make his friends
would rejoice at his disgrace. There would be the
usual " I thought so," " Lived in too grand style,"
" Always was a bit stuck up," "Just what might have
been expected," and so on.
What would Flora say ? How would his wife bear
it? Then there was Rupert and Lilian. He could
not think of them without suffering remorse. There
was no help for it. With Commotion's downfall he
was done. He had made a desperate struggle during
the past four years, but luck had been dead against
him. He would struggle no more.
Sleep! Yes, he slept, but only for a few moments.
He awoke with a start and sat up. He already felt
that strange hand upon his shoulder. He saw the
bit of paper, and he knew he almost felt he had been
arrested as he slept.
" I must think," he said to himself, " what is the
best to be done. Blow my brains out would be the
safest and most honourable course to pursue. I dare
not do that. I am too much of a coward. Is there
no loophole of escape? None. It must be known.
I can hide it no longer. Thank heaven Flora has
150 BANKER AND BROKER.
money settled upon her. She and the children will
not want. But the disgrace. They will feel that.
Shall I go to the bank, meet the directors, and face it
out like a man, explain all, and take the consequences ?
Shall I confide in Hathrop. He is a wealthy man,
he likes me, and he might pull me through. I cannot
face them. It is too terrible."
The train rattled on, and morning was breaking.
Every hour was bringing him nearer to Sydney, and
certain ruin.
" Shall I tell Baxter all ? I think he would help
me. But it is too large a sum. Even Phil Baxter
would hardly like to go that far. He has the mortgage
on Bellevue, but he will not be hard on Flora and the
children for my sake. How can I face the shame.
If I could get away somewhere and hide. After a
time I might get Flora to join me. She is a good,
true wife, and will not fail me. It will darken her
life. Poor, poor Flora."
Then he laid back again and seemed lost in
thought.
Cyril Melrose was acting selfishly. He ought to
have considered others before himself, but he did not
do so. Had he thought less of himself all might yet
have been well. Had he screwed his courage to the
sticking point his life might have had a different
ending.
We cannot see into the future, or we should shape
our lives differently.
Cyril's false move was in distrusting his best friends,
the men who had always stood by him, and who
would not have deserted him in his hour of need.
MALUA'S CUP.
Had he thrown himself on the mercy of the directors
of the bank, and explained how and why he had been
led to speculate, the result would have no doubt
been to spare him.
The false step he took, however, left them no
option in the course they must take, and it was the
very worst device Cyril could have determined upon.
When the train steamed into Redfern Station
Cyril Melrose waited until the platform was clear,
and then, hailing a hansom, drove to an obscure
second-hand clothes dealer, where he purchased a
black suit of a clerical pattern. He dismissed the
cab and went in search of a barber. He was clean
shaved, and that effected a great alteration in. his
appearance. He then bought a pair of dull-coloured
glasses, and, with a wide-awake parson hat on, he
looked a different man. He had changed his clothes
in a small room at the back of the shop where he had
bought them, and the man, probably accustomed to
such proceedings, took very little notice of him.
His disguise now seemed complete, and few would
have recognised in the somewhat seedy-looking
parson the sprightly, elegant bank manager, Cyril
Melrose. His next move was to go to the steamship
office and book for Brisbane.
This, then, was what Cyril Melrose decided upon
during his journey from Melbourne to Sydney.
Flight! There could be no mistake about it. He
was a coward, and could not face the consequences
of his wrong-doing.
Could he have thought of the suspense and anxiety
he would cause his wife and children? Hardly, or
152 BANKER AND BROKER.
he would never have committed such a rash act—
such a piece of pure folly. It was the very worst
thing he could have done.
He went on board the steamer, and in a few hours
she cast off, passed out of the heads, and was on her
way to Brisbane.
There was no escape from the course he had
adopted now.
He had ample time for reflection on the voyage, and,
had he been able to do so, he would have turned back.
The steamer reached Brisbane,- and Cyril, in his
new character, went to hide himself in the Queens-
land city until he could make a move in some safer
direction.
Cyril Melrose was not expected at Bellevue until
the Saturday. He had said he should stay over the
Oak's Day, and leave for Sydney by Friday's express.
There was therefore no anxiety felt on his account,
and he reached Brisbane before he was expected at
his own home.
So far he had been favoured in his flight, and no
notice would be taken of his absence from the bank
until Monday.
Saturday came, and Flora Melrose and Lilian
drove to the station to meet the Melbourne express.
One of the porters saw them, and knew Mrs.
Melrose. He concluded she was waiting for a
friend coming by the express. He had seen Cyril
Melrose come in on Wednesday, and therefore knew
she could not have come to meet him. He kept her
in sight in anticipation of a tip, for he had had ex-
perience of her liberality before.
MALUA'S CUP.
153
At last the train came in, and travellers, dusty and
tired, alighted on the platform. Flora Melrose looked
anxiously at them one by one, but could not see her
husband.
"Perhaps he is not returning until the races are
over," she said to Lilian. " Strange he did not let
us know he intended doing so."
"He may have missed the train, mother," said
Lilian.
"He would have sent a wire had he done so," she
replied.
"Please, marm, are you looking for anyone?"
said the porter.
"Oh, it's you, Jackson, is it? Yes, I expected
Mr. Melrose home from Melbourne by this train,
but perhaps he is remaining over the meeting.
What is the matter with you, Jackson, are you ill ?"
Jackson was staring at her strangely, with his
mouth wide open. His whole countenance expressive
of the greatest astonishment. Flora thought he must
be going into a fit.
" It's nothing, Mrs. Melrose. I'm all right. Felt a
bit queer. The sun does make me a bit queer at times."
"Now, what game's he been up to?" thought
Jackson. "There's no telling what these swells will
do. Well, it's no business of mine."
"Jackson, I'm sure there is something wrong with
you," said Flora Melrose. " Tell me what it is ? "
"Well, marm—but it's no business of mine," he
stammered in a confused way.
"What is no business of yours? What do you
mean? Why do you look so confused?" She was
154 BANKER AND BROKER.
becoming anxious, nervous, and excited. She had
been troubled a good deal of late over various
things.
" It's nothing, marm. It's—it's no business of
mine." Jackson did not know what to say, he was, as
he put it afterwards, in a " quandary."
Mrs. Melrose was now thoroughly alarmed, but she
hardly knew why she should be so.
"Tell me what you mean at once, Jackson," she
said, and her tone admitted of no furthur prevarication.
" It's all right, I daresay, Mrs. Melrose, but
I—I—I—"
"Well, well, go on," she said.
" I saw—saw—"
" Yes. What did you see ? "
"I saw Mr. Melrose come in by Wednesday's
express," he said, and then when he saw the effect of
his words, he was sorry he had spoken.
Flora Melrose did not speak. She saw Jackson was
speaking the truth, she felt what he said was true. She
could not speak. A look of anguish came into her face.
She gasped for breath, and then fell fainting into
Jackson's arms. The man carried her tenderly into
the waiting-room, and she soon recovered.
At first she hardly knew what had happened, but
when she did, she looked hurriedly at Jackson.
"Are you sure you made no mistake? "she said.
" You must have been mistaken." She felt there was
no mistake, only some horrid mystery.
"No, Mrs. Melrose, I could not have been mis-
taken. I am certain I saw Mr. Melrose come in by
Wednesday's express."
MALUA'S CUP.
155
"Thank you, Jackson," she said, quietly. "Come,
Lilian, let us go home."
It made tears start into the porter's eyes to hear
the wail of anguish in her voice, as she said: " Come,
Lilian, let us go home."
"Can I be of any use, Mrs. Melrose?" he asked.
"No thank you, Jackson. No one can be of any
use, now," she said, in the same tone.
" Mother dear, Jackson may have made a mistake
after all," said Lilian.
"I do not think so, Lilian," she replied.
Flora Melrose did not speak during the drive home.
Her heart was too full to allow her to speak.
" Why had Cyril not come home to her ? " was the
burden of her unuttered cry. " What could have
kept him away from his home since Wednesday."
She shuddered as a thought flashed through her mind.
There was another side to Cyril Melrose's life, of
which few even of his most intimate friends were
aware.
The figure of a handsome, bold, daring woman
came before Flora Melrose's eyes as she sat back in
her carriage, and again she shuddered.
She had often seen the woman, even met her at
balls and receptions. They had never spoken, but
Flora Melrose knew that in Miriam Halberd she had
an implacable enemy.
It was Miriam Halberd's form that was now so
vividly brought to her mind.
What had Cyril Melrose to do with Miriam Halberd,
or Miriam Halberd with Cyril Melrose ?
156 DANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XIV.
looking backwards.
The reader may remember at the commencement
of this story it was stated Cyril Melrose " once loved
another woman," and Flora Melrose asked him when
he heaved a sigh if he was thinking of her, meaning
that other woman.
In most men's lives, and in women's too, there are
some scenes upon which they do not care to dwell or
to look back into the vista of the past.
Cyril Melrose was no exception to the general rule.
No mention has as yet been made of that " other
woman's" connection with Cyril's past, because up
to this period in our narrative it has not been
necessary to do so. Flora Melrose has, however, made
it necessary we should look back into her husband's
past life. Her thought that perhaps he had gone to
Miriam Halberd needs some explanation.
It should be borne in mind that Flora Melrose was
ten years his junior, and had been married in her
teens. She had always loved Cyril, and she loved
him still, but occasionally shadows were cast over her
married life when she thought of that "other
woman."
Miriam Halberd was somewhat of a mystery. Mrs.
Halberd she was styled, but no husband had ever
LOOKING BACKWARDS.
been known to appear on the scene. She had a
son, Mark Halberd, a young man about two or
three and twenty, but he was very seldom in society
with her.
Miriam Halberd was still a fine, handsome woman,
and the constant presence of a son as old as Mark
rather annoyed her. She had no particular affection
for him, but, strange to say, Mark was very much
attached to his mother. Miriam Halberd never
seemed to want money. She lived well, and kept her
carriage. No one could exactly say she was fast, and
yet she was free with the men, and, therefore,
popular with them, far more so than with the mem-
bers of her own sex, whom she put into the shade, a
thing no woman can forgive.
Before Cyril Melrose met Flora Macdonald he had
met Miriam Halberd, and at one time matters had
gone so far between them they were engaged to be
married. Although a worldly, and what most people
would have termed a fast woman, Miriam Halberd
loved Cyril deeply.
Her love was returned until he met Flora Mac-
donald. Then he saw the difference between the
pure, wholesome first love of a young girl, and the
more sensuous exciting passion of Miriam Halberd.
The contrast could not fail to be to the disadvantage
of the latter.
Cyril Melrose at this period of his life did a very
foolish thing. He became engaged to the new love
before he was off with the old. For a man to be
engaged to two ladies at the same time is a serious
matter.
158 DANKER AND BROKER.
Flora Macdonald was ignorant of Miriam Halberd's
existence, and Miriam knew not there was a Flora in
the case.
Such a complex state of affairs could, however,
have but one ending.
Miriam Halberd discovered everything. There
was a terrible scene between Cyril and herself. She
was a fiery, daring woman, and her temper was shown
at its worst in this interview. She had good reason
to be angry, and Cyril knew it. He knew he had
done this woman an irreparable wrong, and
practically ruined her life.
He understood now the nature of his passion for
her; and his fervent caresses had won her only too
well. Miriam Halberd was a woman who would,
without doubt, have fallen a prey to some other man
had she never met Cyril. She seemed to be one of
those women born with passions they cannot control,
natures that render up all in a moment of madness.
It was hard to say which was the more to blame,
the man or the woman. She had tempted Cyril
sorely, and had become the victim of her own
temptation.
But now to have to give him up, for he told her
plainly he should marry Flora, maddened her. Had
Flora Macdonald been present she could have killed
her without remorse, nay, she would have gloated
over her dying agonies with fiendish pleasure. She
could not believe in the goodness and purity of such
a girl as Flora. To her morbid mind all women were
alike in their feelings towards men. The only differ-
ence was in outward appearance.
LOOKING BACKWARDS.
She felt Flora Macdonald had won Cyril Melrose
from her by the possession of more seductive powers
of fascination and allurements than she herself pos-
sessed. She never made a greater mistake excepting
to let Cyril see what she thought.
At first Cyril could hardly comprehend what she
meant, but when he fully grasped her meaning his
rage knew no bounds.
Cyril could stand no more. Flora Macdonald to
be maligned—insulted by this woman. Oh, it was
horrible !
He took her by the wrist and hissed into her face,
" I hate you."
Then he flung her violently from him, and left the
house.
Miriam Halberd had a long and dangerous illness
after that fall.
When she reappeared in the world she did so as
Mrs. Halberd, and she had a son—Mark Halberd.
Cyril Melrose married Flora Macdonald before he
met Miriam Halberd again.
It was at a ball, and he had gone with his wife the
happiest of men, proud of the lovely woman at his
side; the woman who but for him might have
changed the whole course of Philip Baxter's life.
No thought of Miriam Halberd ever entered his
mind, and the house they were in was of all places
the least likely to contain her.
Women like Miriam Halberd, however, can accom-
plish wonders, and she had done so, for she was re-
cognised in high circles, and had been seen at
Government House balls and receptions.
i6o BANKER AND BROKER.
As Cyril whirled round in a mazy waltz with his
arm round his wife's slender waist, he suddenly
stopped, much to the surprise of his partner.
She looked hastily up into his face thinking he
must be faint or ill.
They had stopped close to a fine, handsome woman,
who was chatting with a gay young officer in uniform.
She saw her husband's eyes were fixed on this
woman with a look of blank amasement, if not fear.
Then she heard the strange woman say:
"Very pleased to meet you again, Mr. Melrose;
pray introduce me to your wife."
Mechanically Cyril did so, and the strange woman
said :
"Your husband and I are very old friends, Mrs.
Melrose, but we have not met for some time. Pro-
bably you remember the last time we met, Cyril."
Flora Melrose could not understand it. This
woman to call her husband Cyril. What could it
mean ? She was too frightened to make any reply.
" I recollect the occasion," said Cyril. " I am not
likely to forget it. Come, Flora, let us finish our
waltz." Just as they were about to commence the
music died away.
Flora said wearily:
" Take me home, Cyril, I do not feel well."
He was glad of the excuse to leave; glad to get
out of the presence of Miriam Halberd. He cursed
himself for having introduced his wife to her.
When they reached home Flora could not rest until
he had explained when and where he had met this
woman.
LOOKING BACKWARDS. i6i
"What is she? What has she been to you,
Cyril ? " she asked.
"Nothing, Flora. A mere acquaintance, I assure
you."
"Tell me the truth, Cyril,it will be better for us both."
Then he told her, not the truth, but enough of the
painful story to make her know that in Miriam Hal-
berd she had a dangerous enemy. It was the first
cloud in the sunshine of their married life.
She frequently met Miriam Halberd after this, and
avoided her when possible.
What deep game could Miriam be playing, for she
did not press her attentions upon Flora Melrose, but
left her quietly alone. And yet Flora felt that in
this strained peace future war shone forth.
Cyril Melrose made another false move.
Miriam Halberd requested him to grant her a
private interview, and he did so.
She made the most of it. She had prepared
all her fighting weapons for the meeting, and she
conquered. When Cyril Melrose left her house, he
also left a substantial sum of money behind him.
Once Miriam Halberd had him in her power she
became an expensive acquaintance, and she dis-
covered that, instead of being a burden and a dis-
grace to her, Mark Halberd was a very useful
instrument to terrorise Cyril Melrose with. Mark
Halberd was the dread of Cyril's life.. That part of
his life he carefully hid from the world. Not a
soul knew of it but himself, he thought. He was
mistaken. Philip Baxter knew it, but never gave a
single sign he did so.
M
162 BACKER AND BROKER.
Miriam Halberd could well afford to keep her car-
riage, and when Cyril Melrose became manager of
the bank she felt all was secure.
It was of Miriam Halberd Flora Melrose now
thought, as she sat in her once happy home at
Bellevue.
Had Cyril gone to this woman ? That was the
thought which agitated her and made her tremble.
Flora Melrose knew Miriam Halberd had some hidden
power over Cyril, but she took care not to let her
husband see what she knew.
As she thought over the matter it became more
difficult to understand where Cyril had gone.
Could the porter have been mistaken ? That was
her one hope.
Monday morning came, and still Cyril had not re-
turned.
Tuesday—and he did not come.
Wednesday night, and—ah ! who was that coming
up the lawn with Rupert? Surely it must be Cyril.
Her heart gave a great leap of gladness. His
absence was forgotten, forgiven, in the joy of his
presence.
Alas ! her happiness was fleeting. It was not her
husband with Rupert, it was Philip Baxter.
Why had Rupert brought him here when he knew his
father was absent ? It was thoughtless of him to do so.
She welcomed them as cheerfully as she knew how.
Rupert kissed her fondly, did not speak, and left the
room.
She was alone with Philip Baxter, alone with the
man who would even now have put a pistol to his head
LOOKING BACKWARDS. 163
and blown out his brains could he by doing so have
saved her from the cruel blow about to fall upon her.
Philip Baxter, the broker who was the hardest
man on 'Change, the most grasping and avaricious.
That was his character. This man would have given
every shilling he possessed could he by doing so
give back Cyril to the woman before him.
Flora Melrose felt he was the bearer of ill news.
She became alarmed.
" Has anything happened to Cyril?" she said, and
put her hand on his arm.
How his whole body thrilled at her gentle touch.
" Mrs. Melrose, believe me, I would rather have
died than have to tell you the story of the past few
days," he said.
" What do you mean ? Where is Cyril ?" she
said, in an agonised voice.
"Gone !" said Baxter.
" Gone," she echoed.
The room seemed to whirl around, the chairs and
mirrors danced before her eyes. Her head swam,
and she would have fallen had not Philip Baxter
supported her to a chair.
As he held her in his arms, he thought what might
have been.
Remember Flora Melrose was the wife of another,
and Philip Baxter loved her, and was an honourable
man. The temptation was terrible. He felt a
fierce desire to press her to his heart and cry :
" Rest there, Flora. Rest there for ever. Bury
the past, be happy in the future. I will protect you
from all harm."
M 2
164 BANKER AND BROKER.
But he could not do so, and he placed her gently
in the chair, the woman he loved best of anything in
the wide world. And he had come to break her
heart.
It was a sad story Philip Baxter had to tell the
woman he loved. A sad story of confidence betrayed,
of hopeless, endless disgrace.
He had to wring her heart by telling her how her
husband had defrauded the bank of thousands of
pounds, and how instead of facing the directors he
had wropged he had fled.
The whole of the pitiful story he told from beginning
to end. He softened it as well as he knew how, but
his heart was bitter against the man who had brought
this misery upon the woman he loved.
Flora Melrose listened like one in a dream. Her
husband, her idol, a thief, an absconder from justice.
Could it be possible? No, no. It must be some
horrid dream.
It was no dream. Philip Baxter told her in plain
words Cyril had gone and left heavy defalcations
behind him
" It was the worst thing he could have done," said
Baxter. " Had he placed the matter before the
directors, they would, I am convinced, have let him
resign and endeavoured to hush the matter up. As
it is, they have no option. The papers have got
hold of the story, and there is but one course open
for them to take now."
"And Cyril," said Flora.
" They will issue a warrant for his arrest," said
Baxter.
LOOKING BACKWARDS. 165
" Oh, no, no, no. Not that," she cried. " For pity's
sake let him go."
It wrung Baxter's honest heart to see her like this,
but it was better she should know the worst now.
" If they take him ? " she said.
" He will have to stand his trial," said Philip.
" It will kill him," she said; "the shame will kill
both of us. Oh, my poor husband, how could you do
this great wrong? "
Philip Baxter comforted her as well as he could,
but it was a hard task.
When he left her he met Rupert in the hall.
" Go to her, my lad. Bury your own sorrow.
Think of her, poor soul. Try and cheer her, Rupert."
"Poor mother," said Rupert. "Oh, Mr. Baxter, this
is a terrible blow. I could stand ruin, the loss of
everything, even the loss of Mary, but to be disgraced,
to lose our honour, it is too hard to bear."
" It is hard, Rupert. God knows how hard it is to
bear," said Baxter. " Remember, Rupert, now this
trouble has come upon you, I am your friend, and
your mother's friend, and I will stand by your father
to the last."
Rupert took his hand, and pressed it hard.
" I believe you," he said. " We shall need a
friend like you."
" And be sure I shall never fail you," and Baxter
pointed to the door.
Rupert left him, and went in to his mother to try and
bring some comfort to her. It was a hard task for so
young a man, but he bore himself nobly, and forgot
his own sorrow in soothing his mother's aching heart.
166 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XV.
pursuer and pursued.
Brisbane is a lively city, or was at the time Cyril
Melrose, the fugitive, arrived there. In '84 Brisbane
was far different to Brisbane six years later. This
may seem somewhat strange, for colonial cities are
apt to be associated with surprising prosperity and
rapid enlargement. Although Queensland "has suf-
fered severely of late years, more especially during
the sailors' and shearers' strike, she is certain to
recover herself, and become one of the leading
countries of the world. Queensland is rich in mineral
wealth and in cattle, and her hundreds of thousands
of acres are fertile, and, in many places, even luxu-
riant. There are barren wastes, of course, where
during the heat of the tropical summer residence
becomes almost unbearable.
Brisbane, as Cyril Melrose found it, was not half
a bad place to live in. When he arrived there
he gave the name of the Rev. Silas Rose, and as
such he was known. He looked very like a
parson with his clean, shaven face and clerical
clothes, and he moderated his language to fit his
appearance.
He put up at the Bellevue Hotel, which at that
time was a small old-fashioned place, far different
PURSUER AND . PURSUED. 167
to the grand mansion now standing close to Parlia-
ment House. He chose this hotel because of the
name—the name of the home he had left behind.
The Bellevue was about the best place he could
have selected. It was away from the centre of the
town, and was mostly frequented by members of the
House, and occasional stragglers of the better class.
Here he had a chance of being quiet and unmolested,
and could think out his plans for the future. There
must have been a good deal of selfishness in his nature,
because even at this time his chief thoughts were more
for his own forlorn situation than for the wife and
children he had left behind to grieve for his absence,
and await, in anxious suspense, news of the fugitive.
Strange to say, he even looked upon the bank as
being the cause of all his misfortunes, and he did not
seem to understand that he had appropriated thou-
sands of pounds to which he had no right.
He had so deluded himself with the idea that the
money he had speculated with was invested in the
interests of the bank, that his defalcations seemed
quite a trifling matter.
Time hung heavily on his hands, and to a man who
had been constantly in a whirl either of business or
pleasure it was a decided change. He did not care
to make acquaintances, and consequently he avoided
the inmates of the hotel as much as possible. One
night, about a week after he had landed in Brisbane,
he was walking leisurely along Queen Street, when a
large line on the Telegraph newspaper bill of con-
tents attracted his attention. He bought a copy, and
read it hurriedly. The paragraph he turned to was
168 BANKER AND BROKER.
headed "The great bank defalcations. The missing
manager. Supposed to be in Brisbane." No wonder
he was startled. He had never anticipated he could
be so easily traced. He had no idea the police would
be so quickly at work. He had even a faint hope the
bank directors would let him go, and not take the
trouble to find him.
The paragraph went on to state how Detective
Scott had the matter in hand, and how he had dis-
covered that the absconding manager, Melrose, had
purchased a clerical garb, and taken passage to
Queensland. Newspapers are very useful to criminals,
and often provide them with means of escape by
giving them notice of danger lurking near.
Had the Telegraph not received this message by
wire from Sydney, Detective Scott would have had
very little difficulty in securing his man.
The wire, however, put Cyril on his guard, and he
did not delay a moment. He went back to the
hotel, paid his bill, and left by the first train for
Toowoomba.
Cyril now realised he was being pursued, and the
thought was not pleasant. At any moment he felt a
hand might be laid upon his shoulder, and the dreaded
arrest take place. He took no pleasure in the
magnificent scenery mapped out before him.
Going up the range to Toowoomba is one of the
most splendid railway rides imaginable.
The train goes up, up, up, with tortuous windings,
trailing like a serpent round the huge rocks, and
leaving behind a narrow trail of rails. When some
of the highest points are reached a panorama of
PURSUER AND PURSUED. 169
scenery such as is seldom met with extends as far as
the eye can see until it loses itself in the horizon.
Hills and dales clothed from summit to base with
dense brushwood chase each other along for miles.
The train is high above the topmost heights, and the
passengers can look down upon the picture from their
dizzy place. It is a wonderful sight, and, like the
zig-zag in New South Wales, a daring engineering
triumph. The range to Toowoomba is traversed in
quite a different manner to the Blue Mountains. The
train glides along the rocks on the extreme edge.
Looking out of the window you can see straight down
into a huge gorge hundreds of feet deep, and it is not
a pleasant sensation to imagine what would happen
if the train deviated a hair's breadth from its course.
Down the sides of these gorges can be seen the
small, white tents of the men working on the lines or
engaged in felling timber.
The passing train is the only glimpse of civilisation
they have in the day, and no wonder they stop to
look at it, and wave their hats to the passengers.
As Cyril looked at these small camping-grounds,
it struck him what a capital place it would be to hide
in for a time could he but get there.
He would have to change his clothes and assume
the garb of a navvy, but that had now become neces-
sary, on account of the discovery made in Sydney
that he had purchased clerical attire.
He determined when he reached Toowoomba to
buy the clothes he required. This might afford
another clue, but there was no other way out of the
difficulty.
BANKER AND BROKER.
Toowoomba is a small town on the Darling Downs,
the commencement of a pastoral stretch of country
that will bear comparison with the most fertile lands
in Australia.
Like all country towns, Toowoomba is dull. The
principal buildings are the hotels, banks, and Govern-
ment offices, while some of the stores are of large
dimensions. Of course, there is the inevitable show
ground. What colonial town of any pretensions
whatever could possibly do without its show ground ?
It is an admirable feature in colonial life that there
should be such hearty competition stimulated by these
numerous agricultural societies. To their^existence
may be traced the vast improvements made in the
stock, and also the produce of the lands. The
farmers vie with each other in exhibiting the fruits of
their toil, and it is the proudest day in the year at the
homestead when " Bonny and Darling," the champion
draught pair, come home with the blue ribbons round
their huge necks ; or " Polly and Baldy " secure first
and champion for the best milkers in the show. It will
be a bad day for Australia when such societies as these
are allowed to languish and fade out of existence.
Naturally in Toowoomba, when a stranger arrives,
everyone knows his business in half a dozen hours
or less. Cyril Melrose was not long in discovering
this. He had not been two hours in the town before
the landlord of the hotel he had repaired to informed
him that a deputation was waiting to see him.
Australia is the champion country in the world
for deputations. No matter how trivial the question
at issue, it is generally settled by a deputation to
PURSUER AND PURSUED. 171
somebody. If the town hall clock loses five minutes
in twelve hours, a public meeting is called to protest
against the action of the Government in neglecting
to have the said clock regulated properly.
There is generally a large attendance at the
meeting, and as everyone present is desirous of
explaining his views on things in general, the object
for which they had assembled in many cases being
entirely ignored, the discussion is prolonged until a
late hour. Eventually a deputation to the Govern-
ment is decided upon. Then comes the great tug-of-
war. Who shall be selected on the deputation ? This
is a question of vast import, for a deputation means a
trip to the seat of Government with its attendant
junketings.
The deputation selected, they proceed to interview
the gentleman in whose department the town hall
clock may be said to be.
The Minister for Works receives the deputation
very cordially, more especially if there is an early
dissolution of Parliament looming in the distance.
The deputation states its grievance, and the
Minister replies to the effect that it is very bad taste
on the part of the town hall clock to go wrong at all
in such a respectable community. That the clock
shall be seen to and the winder-up admonished. In
fact the Minister for Works promises considerably
more than he can perform, and never intends to carry
out his promises if he can possibly avoid doing so.'
The deputation thanks the Minister and retires.
The whole affair occupies about a quarter of an hour,
and costs a goodly sum of money. Result : The
BANKER AND BROKER.
town hall clock, with the natural cussedness of all
public clocks, declines to move faster, and still
continues to loose with monotonous regularity its
five minutes in twelve hours. Cyril was very much
surprised to hear a deputation waited to see him.
"There must be some mistake," he said. "My
good man, I don't know a soul in the place. How
can I possibly be the individual they require?"
" Better see them," said the landlord, who scented
sundry rounds of liquors, deputations, according to
his knowledge, generally being "dry."
" Certainly not," said Cyril; " they can have no
possible business with me."
The landlord went away and communicated the
intelligence to the deputation, but being determined
to wait upon somebody, they proceeded to Cyril's
room.
The spokesman explained that they understood
Cyril was the new Methodist parson, and wished to
give him a hearty welcome to Toowoomba.
Cyril could not help laughing, despite the situation
he was in, and in order to make up for the
disappointment the good folk had experienced, he
ordered in a supply of beverages.
They departed perfectly satisfied, and lamenting
that such a free-handed pastor was not to be called
to their church.
. Cyril at once saw he must be on the move again,
and he went out to purchase the kit he required.
He said he required the clothes for a poor workman
about his own build who was very hard up, and he was
desirous of helping him. He would take the parcel
PURSUER AND PURSUED.
with him, as the man was in urgent want of the
articles.
Next morning Cyril Melrose left Toowoomba, and
commenced to tramp it back in the direction he had
come. He walked several miles along the road until
the country became almost deserted, and there was
plenty of shelter in the bush. He then changed his
clothes, and having hidden his priestly garments,
resumed his march, tying up some refreshments he
had brought with him in a red handkerchief.
The change was a good one, and no one would
have recognised in the working-man the sprightly
bank manager, Cyril Melrose.
He tramped on, and camped out for the night.
Being thoroughly exhausted he slept well, and the
warm November night was pleasant. He rose up
refreshed, and resumed his march.
Meanwhile Detective Scott had arrived in
Brisbane, and discovered his bird had flown. From
inquiries he made at the Bellevue, he suspected
the clergyman who had stayed there was the man he
was in search of. Where Cyril had gone to puzzled
Scott, but he was not easily daunted, and after half-an-
hour's cross-questioning with various officials at the
station he found out enough to lead him to suppose
Cyril Melrose had gone by train to Toowoomba.
Scott accordingly followed on Cyril's track, and
by a strange coincidence went to the same hotel.
The landlord was loquacious, and Scott had no
difficulty in ascertaining that a smart gentlemanly
parson had been there a day or two ago. He heard
about the deputation, and was immensely tickled at it.
BANKER AND BROKER.
Detective Scott waited about Toowoomba for a
week, but no trace could he discover of Cyril. He
imagined his man would still keep to the parson dis-
guise, and therefore made no inquiries from the store-
keepers. Cyril Melrose must have walked out of Too-
woomba, of that he felt sure, but in what direction ?
Perhaps he was hiding in some hospitable home-
stead in the surrounding country.
Detective Scott visited a score of places, and made
himself very agreeable. He flirted with the girls and
drank wine with the German vignerons. One old
man produced such a glorious bottle of old port that
Scott became very gay and festive, and eventually
found himself so completely "sown up," as'he after-
wards put it, that he took a shake-down for the night.
All this became monotonous to Scott, who felt he
must make a move to track Cyril Melrose, or his
reputation would suffer. It was by a mere accident
he made a discovery which put him on the track. He
went out for a drive with the landlord of the hotel, and
they proceeded in the direction Cyril had taken.
" You can have a shot at some parrots," said the
landlord. " There's lots about here. I'll drive over
and see my friend, and then call as I come back.
Don't forget the spot."
Scott walked into the bush, and brought down a
bird or two. One fell into a dense mass of brush-
wood, and in looking for it the detective came across
the clothes Cyril had discarded.
Scott gave a prolonged whistle when he saw the
garments. He had made an important discovery.
He felt certain they were the clothes Cyril Melrose
PURSUER AND PURSUED. 175
must have worn. When the landlord came back he
identified the priestly attire, and said it was just like
the clothes the parson stopping at his place had on.
He hoped no harm had come to him, as he was
such a nice man.
Scott now made inquiries at the stores, and learnt
that a clergyman had purchased a navvy's rig-out for
a poor man in sore distress.
"Where are navvies working about here?" asked
Scott.
"Only on the line on the range going to Brisbane,"
was the reply.
Scott determined to walk back to Brisbane, if
necessary.
"So you've put the double on me, Mr. Melrose,
have you?" he mused. "I'm on your track now,
sure enough, and you'll find it hard to get out of my
way. Poor chap, I always pity these swells when
they get into trouble. It's such a hard life for 'em.
And Mr. Melrose was a real good sort. I'll treat him
kindly when I do lay my hands on him. Racing's
done it with him, as it has with many another good
one. I'd know his face, I think, anywhere, and in
any disguise. What a fool he's been ! Why, those
bank directors seemed deuced sorry they had to send
after him at all. Mr. Hathrop seemed cut up. Good
man that, but I fancy he will be stern over this busi-
ness. Forty thousand pounds is a lot of money.
Blest if I wouldn't put in five years myself for that
amount. Would I? No; on second thoughts I'd
sooner be Detective Scott than ex-Bank Manager
Cyril Harcourt Melrose.
176 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XVI.
CAPTURED.
To such a man as Cyril Melrose, a tramp of many
miles through a bush country on an almost unmade
bush road, was very trying. He went steadily along,
feeling that in flight from the township lay his only
hope of safety. He now commenced to feel the full
effects of his guilt, and to dread the punishment he
had a presentiment would be sure to follow. As he
dragged his weary limbs along, the loneliness of his
situation pressed heavily upon him. He saw now it
would have been far better for him to have stayed
behind and faced the consequences of his folly.
The sun was scorching, as the Queensland sun can
be in November, although the two following months
receive much more of the heat. It blazed down upon
his head, and made him feel sick, languid, and weary.
He sat down under a tree which afforded him some
slight protection from the sun, determined to remain
there until the cool breeze of the evening came on.
As he lay stretched out in the welcome bit of shade
his thoughts wandered back to the home he had left
behind, and he began to realise what his wife and
children must have suffered when his flight, and the
reason of it, was discovered. Flora had always been
a true and faithful wife to him, and he had no right
to treat her as he had done. How different she was
CAPTURED.
77
from Miriam Halberd. What a life of degradation
he must have lived had his fate been linked with that
woman. And yet was he blameless in regard to her?
Far from it. She had encouraged and led him on, but
he had ruined her at last, if such a woman could ever
be brought to understand her disgrace. Would she
dare, now evil had come upon him, to be revenged
upon his wife? The thought made him shudder.
He pictured Flora in the power, at the mercy of
such a woman, whose thirst for revenge he knew full
well had never slacked, but only become more and
more insatiate during all these years.
Miriam Halberd had vowed she would humble
Flora Melrose in the dust if she had to wait until old
age had withered her. Now he had given her a
chance she could never have dreamt or hoped for in
her wildest moments of revengeful thought.
Flora, the wife of a criminal, a man compelled to
fly from justice.
As Cyril Melrose thought of these things he cursed
his fate when he should have cursed himself.
Men are too apt to blame fate or luck when their
own conduct has been alone at fault.
So it was with Cyril. He continually put all his
troubles and wrong doings down to circumstance,
and never by any means placed the whole blame
upon his own shoulders.
He ate a frugal meal, and the sun having become
less powerful, he resumed his walk.
It was moonlight when he saw several white tents
on the side of the hill, and knew he was within easy
distance of the place he sought.
N
178 banker and broker.
He halted at the first camp, and found three men
sitting smoking on a huge tree near the entrance to
their tent.
" Hallo, stranger, got out of yer way ? " said one
of the men.
" No," said Cyril, " I'm on the look out for work,
and I've tramped all the way to find your camp. I
fancied I might get put on a job here."
"You don't look much like one of our sort," said
the man. " However, I daresay the boss 'II put yer
on. You look fagged, mate. Sit down and have a
swig at the billy ; there's some good tea in yet, but
nothing stronger."
Cyril drank and felt refreshed. Tea out of a billy-
can is always better than out of an ordinary pot if
brewed properly.
"Where be ye from, mate ?" asked another man.
"From Toowoomba last," said Cyril.
" Been on a station ? "
" No."
" Been droving?"
" No, I've not been droving. I've had no luck of late,
or I should not be here. The fact is, I'm clean broke
and I want a few days' work to help me on my way."
" Then you shall have it, mate," said the man who
had first addressed him. "I'm ganger on this job,
and I'll put yer on."
"Thank you," said Cyril. "Can I start to-
morrow? "
" Sure," said the man. " Have a whiff of bacca."
Cyril took the cake of tobacco and the dirty looking
pipe handed to him. He cut a pipe full and then
CAPTURED.
79
commenced to smoke. He felt if he managed to get
through that pipe without feeling the smoke sickness
he could take considerable credit to himself. But he
struggled manfully with it.
" Lovely scene this," said Cyril.
" Daresay it is, but a chap gets uncommon full of it
when he's always looking at it. May be lovely, but
I'd sooner be in Brisbane. Why, mate, we don't get
much news here. Get a bundle of papers chucked
out of the train now and again when the guard's a
decent sort, but he forgets us sometimes. The last
bundle we got had the Cup winner in, so you see its
pretty late news."
" The Cup winner ! " Cyril could not help starting
when he heard that ominous sound, and in doing so
he let the pipe fall.
" I guess that bacca's too strong for the likes of
you," said one of the men. " It's knocked the pipe
out of your mouth, it's so strong," and he chuckled at
his little joke.
" Have yer ever seen the Cup ! " said the
ganger.
" Oh yes," said Cyril. " A long time ago," he
added, hastily.
" Well, they do say in this paper as how Malua
was lucky to win, and .that Commotion would have
beaten him if he had not run in the interest of his
stable mate Plausible. That there Malua must be a
real good 'un."
" I've heard he is a great horse," said Cyril.
" Commotion was my fancy. Give me a real tip-
topper. I likes a horse that can hump a bit of weight
N 2
180 BANKER AND BROKER.
and be a champion. We had a sweep on it in camp
and I drew Commotion.
"That accounts for your fancy for him," said Cyril.
"Not a bit of it. I like the horse because he's a
favourite with us all. I reckon if Commotion had
won that there bank manager would have not been in
such a mess."
Cyril was glad the light was dull. Had the news
of his flight reached this desolate spot already, then
all was indeed lost.
" What about him ? " said Cyril.
" It seems the manager of some big bank in
Sydney has been robbing the bank. I read in the
papers that he went for a plunge on Commotion, and
if he had got home the fellow would have pulled
through. Poor chap, how he must have cursed his
luck when he saw the horse run second."
" Yes, it was hard lines," said Cyril.
" D hard lines," replied the man ; " but for all
that he ought to have kept his hands off other people's
money. Then he left his wife and children, and
never said a word where he was going. I don't call
that a fair deal. A man ought to stick to his wife so
long as she sticks to him, and she seems to have been
a good 'un."
"She was/' said Cyril, absently.
" Eh ! What ? " said the man, surprised. " Look
here, you might as well tell us who you are. We
shan't blab."
" I meant," stammered Cyril, "I knew who she was
in better days, and I've met her husband before I
sank down in the world."
CAPTURED.
181
"All right, mate. Never mind that. Cheer up,
and perhaps your luck may change some of these days.
Well, darn my eyes if there ain't another cove coming
along here. We can't take 'em all on. Wonder
who the deuce he is ? "
Cyril Melrose felt faint. A dread feeling seized
him, and he felt danger was at hand in the person of
this stranger.
"Two of yerin one night, and we hardly ever see
a fresh face," said the man. " That's uncommon
strange. Yer might be following one another."
Was this man following him ? Cyril inwardly felt
he was, or why should he have come on his track.
Detective Scott, for such the new comer was, had
got a lift on the road when he left his quarters of the
night before, and he would probably have reached the
camp as soon as Cyril had he not halted on the way.
" Let me go in the tent," said Cyril. " Don't tell
him there's a stranger here."
" All serene, mate," said the man, with a wink.
" Nip in there," and he pointed to the tent opening.
" Thought there was a screw loose, but he seems a
decent sort. Let's find out what this chap's like
before we let on he's here."
Detective Scott came straight up to the group, and
after looking hard at each of the three men, sat down
on the log, pulled out his pipe, and commenced to
smoke.
"You're a cool cuss, you are," said the ganger.
" And what the devil brought you here ? "
"Business," said Scott. "Got anything to drink,
I'm dry ? Awfully hot, walking in that beastly sun."
182 banker and broker.
"No, we haven't got any drink," said the man.
He did not relish the cool off-hand way of Detective
Scott.
Scott got up, and walked over to the smouldering
embers of the fire. He took up the billy-can and
looked in.
"Give me some tea," he said, "and I'll give you
some whisky," and he pulled a flask out of his pocket.
The sight of the magic spirit produced a decided
change in the men, and Scott's tea was ready in a
very short time. Whisky, even if there is only a nip
for once round, produces friendly feelings, and Scott
knew it. He had great faith in whisky. " Talking
medicine," he called it. In answer to further questions
from the ganger, Scott said :
"I'm on the look out for some one I believe has
come this way. He's a gentleman, a great friend of
mine, but I expect his dress will not be quite in the
ordinary cut of a gent's."
" What do you want with him ? "
"Well, you see I've discovered he is not quite right
in his mind, and I'm a bit anxious."
" Can't be our new man," thought the ganger.
Cyril, where he lay in the tent, could hear all that
passed. He wished Scott were alone. He had come
to the decision it would be better to give himself up
to justice at once, but he could not do it before these
honest fellows.
" Has anyone been here ?" said Scott again.
" Come, you may as well tell me."
" There's been a man here, but he's engaged on
our job, now."
CAPTURED.
" When did he come ? "
" Not long before you did."
" Indeed," said Scott. " Where is he ?"
" Having a camp. But you needn't be alarmed,
he's not your friend."
" I'm not so sure about that," said Scott. " Let me
have a look at him."
Cyril could stand it no longer. He came out of
the tent, and sat down on the log again.
"Here he is," said the man.
Scott looked at Cyril, and Cyril looked at him and
made a sign which the detective was not slow in in-
terpreting. He knew he had found his man, and he
knew Cyril Melrose did not want to be shamed before
these men. He went over to him and said:
" No, this is not my friend. I shall have to search
again, to-morrow."
Then stooping down, he whispered :
"Are you Cyril Melrose?"
" Yes," said Cyril. " And you ? "
" Detective Scott."
" I will not try to escape."
" I'll trust you," said Scott.
"I'd like a chat with this stranger," he said to the
men.
They were ready to turn in, and after finishing the
whisky, left the two alone.
" I'm sorry I have to arrest you, Mr. Melrose," said
Scott. " However, if you will come along with me
as an ordinary acquaintance, I will make it as pleasant
as I can for you."
" Thank you," said Cyril.
184 BANKER AND BROKER.
"There's a station not many miles from here. We
can walk there before these men are up, and they
will know nothing about the affair."
"As you please," said Cyril.
When all was still, Cyril Melrose and Detective
Scott started to walk to the station to catch the Bris-
bane train. Cyril was captured, and how quietly and
ordinarily it had been effected.
He could hardly realise as he walked beside Detec-
tive Scott that he was not a free agent. After all, it
was not so very terrible to be arrested. He felt even
now he knew the worst had come, and he was on his
way back to face the difficulties he had got himself in.
How he wished he had never left Sydney.
" Sorry you cut away, Mr. Melrose," said Scott.
" It would have been far better for you to have re-
mained in Sydney. What's done's done, and you
may get off with a light sentence, after all."
Cyril's courage almost forsook him at the mere
mention of the word sentence. He had hardly under-
stood the full consequences of what he had done as yet.
" Sentence," said Cyril, " I may not have any sen-
tence passed on me at all."
"I hope not, Mr. Melrose, but it's a clear case
from what I can make out. I don't think the directors
will press the charge heavily. There seems to be a
good deal of sympathy for you amongst them."
" What sort of a sentence could be passed on me
if I were found guilty ?" said Cyril.
"There's a wide margin," said Scott. "Now
there was Mr. S , he got fifteen years, but then his
was a common case."
CAPTURED.
" Only a common case," he said, echoing the detec-
five's words.
" That was all. Mr. S was a poor, underpaid
cashier, and he stole a hundred pounds."
" Was that all ? " said Cyril, astonished.
" Yes ; that's where he made the mistake."
"How?" said Cyril, more and more puzzled.
" Because if he had gone in for something big he
might have got off with less. A good, stiff sum seems
to dazzle the judge. Now there was Mr. T , he
embezzled a matter of twenty thousand. He got three
years. I could tell you lots of curious cases, Mr.
Melrose. I've seen a man get six months for half
killing his wife, and I've seen a poor chap get
eighteen months for collaring thirty shillings. Oh,
you'll be all right, Mr. Melrose. A matter of forty
thousand pounds is sure to be in your favour. Now,
I'm open to bet you'll get from three to five years."
The cool manner in which Detective Scott took his
guilt for granted nettled Cyril. " I did not know it
was a proper thing for you to believe a man guilty the
moment you apprehend him," said Cyril.
"No more it is. But yours is such a clear case,
Mr. Melrose. Why, they say Commotion broke you
clean up, and that this business has been going on
for a few years."
" Do they ? " said Cyril. " Then my trial is bound
to be before a set of prejudiced men."
" Not a bit of it. A man in your position always
excites commiseration," said Scott, consolingly.
" If a poor begger robs a hen-roost that's a degrading
kind of felony. You can't get much romance out of a
186 BANKER AND BROKER.
hen-roost, Mr. Melrose. But when a man appro-
priates a few thousands to his own use, meaning to
replace it when he gets a stroke of luck, and with no
intention at the time he took that money of being dis-
honest, why, that's a different matter altogether. It's
far worse to rob a hen-roost than a bank, Mr. Mel-
rose."
Cyril thought Detective Scott was rather stretching
a point in his favour, but there was more truth in the
detective's remarks than Cyril was aware of.
Detective Scott kept his word to Cyril Melrose.
When they reached • Brisbane Cyril procured a more
becoming suit of clothes, as Scott advised him to
keep up appearances as much as possible. " Goes a
long way with 'em, I can tell you, sir," he said.
The Heads loomed in sight as Cyril Melrose stood
on the deck of the steamer with the ever-watchful
Scott at his side.
Many a time had he sailed through those majestic,
rocky headlands on his own yacht with a merry,
laughing, light-hearted party on board.
How changed everything seemed now. He looked
at the fatal gap where the "Dunbar" was hurled to
her cruel fate, and almost wished the steamer would
dash to pieces on the rocks, and engulf him in the
wide ocean waste.
He was going to disgrace, prison, and deep degra-
dation, and he was dragging down with him all that
he held dear.
Should he permit this to come to pass? Why not
save them from that everlasting shame ? A plunge
into the deep, blue waves, and all would be over.
CAPTURED.
.8?
He leaned over the side of the steamer, and gazed
intently into the water.
Detective Scott was watching him closely, and,
touching him on the arm, said :
" Let us go below. It's dangerous for you here."
Cyril started. This man seemed to read his every
thought.
" That has passed," said Cyril. " I will face it out."
The steamer was now in the smooth water of the
harbour.
As she steamed slowly along Cyril saw his own
home, nestling peacefully in the beautiful spot he had
chosen for it.
The sight cut him to the heart. He felt now what
it was to have sinned as he had sinned.
How quiet the home looked. He could see all the
blinds were down. Perhaps they mourned him as
one dead. How much better it would have been had
he been really dead.
There lay his yacht idly in the small bay, anchored
in front of the house. When should he tread her
deck again a free man ?
Never. All that was past. He might live. He
might once more have his liberty, but he would never
be free from the stain he had put upon his name.
He must carry the brand of shame for life.
The steamer went slowly along. She reached the
wharf, and Cyril Melrose and Detective Scott went
ashore, and, hailing a hansom, drove away.
Cyril Melrose slept that night in Darlinghurst
Gaol, a prisoner uncondemned, yet knowing there was
no loophole of escape.
88 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XVII.
sentenced.
Cyril Melrose passed a terrible night in Darling-
hurst alone with his conscience, which refused to let
him sleep. Gnawing remorse was hard at work, and
in the morning he looked a changed man. During
the silent hours of the night he thought over what
might have been, and he saw fully all he had lost,
and the misery he had brought upon all dear to him.
He had thought of the crowded court and the
hateful curiosity of the crowd come to gaze upon a
man they had looked upon once with respect and
envy. As he heard the gaol clock chime the hours
he had shuddered, and thought how prisoners must
feel serving long sentences and counting the hours of
their release with weary monotonous regularity.
At an early hour in the morning he had a visitor.
It was Philip Baxter.
The two men stood face to face. Cyril Melrose,
with downcast head, did not hold out his hand, but
Baxter took it, pressed it hard, and for the moment
did not speak. Then he said in a half-choking voice :
"Cyril, why did you not trust me?"
"Oh, Baxter, I could not. My poor wife, how
is she ? "
"Terribly cut up, as you may expect. She bears
up wonderfully, though, and her every thought seems
SENTENCED.
89
for you. I have done all I could to calm her, but it
is a terrible blow," said Baxter. "What ever pos-
sessed you to take all that money ? What have you
done with it?"
" I have not got much of it left," said Cyril, with a
sickly smile. " Commotion put the finishing touch
on me, and everything went wrong for months before
that."
" If you had told me, Melrose, I might have saved
you," said Phil.
"Impossible. The amount was too great. Over
forty thousand." '
" I could have done that for you. I am not a poor
man," said Baxter.
"And you would have advanced me that fortune?"
said Cyril, surprised.
"Willingly, to save your family from disgrace,"
said Baxter.
" I have always wronged you, Phil. Would to
heaven I had trusted you from the first," said Cyril.
" What's done cannot be undone," said Baxter;
"and we must make the best of it now. If you'll take
my advice you will plead guilty, and hand in a. written
statement in mitigation of sentence." He saw Cyril
wince. " It is no use glossing the matter over," he
went on. "Be a man, Melrose. You made a fatal
mistake in going away and not braving it out. Had
you told Hathrop I believe all could have been
arranged. They were riot anxious to prosecute, but
you have given them 110 option."
Cyril agreed to leave his case entirely in Baxter's
hands, and expressed a wish to see his wife.
19o BANKER AND BROKER.
Flora Melrose came, and the interview was very
painful. She did not upbraid her husband, but the
look of hopeless agony in her face made Cyril suffer
untold misery. She seemed a changed woman in
these few short days. She looked older, and her
voice had lost all its joyous ring.
And Rupert also saw his father, and another pain-
ful scene took place. Rupert explained how he had
resigned his position in the bank, and how the
directors had declined to accept his resignation, and
treated him with much kindness and consideration.
At last the day of. Cyril Melrose's trial arrived, and
it was a day Flora Melrose never forgot. She insisted
upon being in court, and her son and Phil Baxter were
with her. Cyril pleaded guilty to the charge brought
against him, and handed in a statement, in which he
explained all the facts of his case. Mr. Hathrop
stated that Melrose had made all the reparation in his
power, gave him an excellent character, and acknow-
ledged it was mainly due to Cyril's exertions that the
bank had attained such a high position. He was
visibly affected while in the witness box, and spoke
as favourably as he could for the ex-manager.
Then came the critical moment when the judge
pronounced sentence.
Flora Melrose was as pale as death, and she
pressed Rupert's arm, until it pained him, in her
intense agony. The judge saw her, and his eyes
seemed to grow dim. The man before him, the man
on whom he had to pronounce sentence had been a
personal friend, and he had often partaken of the
hospitality of Bellevue. He had a painful task before
SENTENCED.
191
him, and the presence of Flora Melrose, for whom he
had a profound admiration, made it none the easier.
But he was a judge, and had to do his duty. The
feelings of the man had to be sunk in the dignity of the
high office he held. Thousands of people would read
his judgment, and comment upon it severely if he
erred on the side of leniency. If the sentence was
too light it would be attributed to his former personal
friendship for Melrose.
" This man I have been proud to call friend," he
said, "but nevertheless that will not deter me from
doing my duty. Cyril Melrose, it needs no words of
mine to make you feel your position. I see you feel it,
and in that I have hopes that when you regain your
liberty you will endeavour to lead a more honourable
life. There is no excuse for what you have done. You
received a munificent salary, and ought to have been
able to live upon it with comfort, and even in luxury.
An unfortunate mania for gambling has been at the
bottom of all your misfortunes. Reckless gambling, I
can call it by no other name, has ruined youl I am
glad you have done all in your power to assist the
directors of the bank in this affair, but your defalca-
tions still amount to many thousands of pounds.
Taking all the circumstances of your case under
consideration, I feel I should not be doing my
duty if I passed a sentence that would not mark my
opinion of the enormity of the offence you have com-
mitted. The sentence of the court is that you be
imprisoned for four years, and, considering the state of
your health, as testified to by the doctor, I shall not
add with hard labour."
192 BANKER AND BROKER.
The blow had fallen at last.
Flora Melrose sat quite still as she heard the
sentence pronounced. She felt it was lenient, and yet
how terrible it seemed. Four years in prison. She
gave a faint shudder, and then tears came to relieve
her overwrought feelings, and she wept bitterly.
She saw Cyril before he was taken back to gaol.
He had been tried at Darlinghurst, and, therefore, was
taken out of the court to the prison.
She spoke kindly to him, and encouraged him with
her noble self-sacrifice.
"Four years, Flora; I shall never live through it,"
he said. " You would be better without me. I
should be far better dead. I shall always be a
disgrace to you and the children."
"Don't, Cyril. You must not talk like that. I will
bear up for your sake, and look forward to the time
when you will again be free. Then we will leave
Australia, and commence a new life in a new land,
where no one knows us, and where we can be happy
with each other, and with our children. Four years
will soon pass away, Cyril, and perhaps some
remission of your sentence may be obtained. We can
leave Bellevue and take a small house. I have a little
money of my own, as you know, which will keep us
very well until you are with us again. Rupert earns
a good salary now, and he will help us. I shall come
to see you as often as I am permitted, Cyril, and—■
and—and—"
She broke down here. The brave woman tried
hard to put a cheerful face on her misery, but she
could bear the strain no longer.
SENTENCED.
193
" My poor Flora," said Cyril, as he clasped her in
his arms, " what misery I have brought upon you. I
will bear up for your sake, Flora."
They parted, and Flora Melrose went back to her
lonely home, from which all the joy and gladness
seemed to have gone.
She found in every room something to remind her
of Cyril, and of Cyril's disgrace. Her husband in
prison, how could she ever face the world again.
Philip Baxter was employed in his spare time in
putting Cyril's affairs in some kind of order.
" Lucky I took that mortgage on Bellevue," he
thought, " there will be no occasion for Mrs. Melrose
to leave her old home. That was a happy thought
of mine. She must remain there. The place need
not require much to keep it up. She would not
accept money from me directly. Now let me see.
Suppose I say there's five thousand pounds of Cyril's
which clearly belongs to him. No, that won't do.
She'd give it up to the banh at once, and I don't feel
at all inclined to let them have five thousand of my
money. It's no good trying Rupert, because he
would be quite as particular as his mother in the
matter. I must think it out, but first of all I must
see Hathrop, and find out what the bank is going to
do about Cyril's estate.
He did see Mr. Hathrop, and that gentleman roused
Phil's ire by stating the directors had decided to sell
whatever property or shares Cyril Melrose possessed,
and appropriate the money to meet his defalcations.
In reply to a sarcastic remark of Baxter's, Mr.
Hathrop said ;
O
BANKER AND BROKER.
" It was not my wish to sell Bellevue, but the other
directors insisted upon it, and I could not stand out
against it. If you look at it in the right light, Mr.
Baxter, I think you will see that is the only course
we could adopt."
" And turn Mrs. Melrose out of house and home?"
said Phil, savagely.
"You use harsh terms," said Mr. Hathrop; "surely
the bank is entitled to take the property."
"Legally, yes," said Phil.
" And morally, too," said Mr. Hathrop.
"I don't know so much about that," growled Phil.
"Melrose made your bank. He increased your
business fourfold. He went wrong, and I don't
pretend to defend him. He deserves all he has got,
but I'm hanged if I think your vengeance ought to
be visited on his wife and children, who are the
innocent victims in this miserable business."
" Melrose has brought this misery upon them by
his own folly," said Mr. Hathrop.
" And what if he has. Has he not got four years
in prison, which you probably know as well as I, will
kill him. He will never come out alive."
Mr. Hathrop looked very grave as he said:
" I fear what you say will come to pass. Still we
have our duty to perform to the shareholders in our
bank. They will look at this matter in a more
practical light than either you or I. Bellevue will
fetch a matter of six or seven thousand pounds, and
that is a considerable item. No, Mr. Baxter, we
cannot allow Mrs. Melrose to remain there, much as
I should like her to do so,"
SENTENCED.
195
"Then I say she shall remain there if she likes/'
said Phil; " I know you mean well, Mr. Hathrop, but
the directors cannot sell Bellevue."
" Indeed," said Mr. Hathrop, surprised ; "and why
cannot we sell Bellevue I should like to know?"
" Because it's mortgaged," said Phil.
" You are mistaken," said Mr. Hathrop.
" I don't often make mistakes in business," said
Phil.
" What do you mean ? " said Mr. Hathrop.
" That I hold the deeds of Bellevue, on which
property I lent Cyril Melrose five thousand pounds."
" I never heard anything of this," he said.
" Probably not," said Phil; " I don't proclaim all
my transactions from the house top."
" Of. course that alters the case," said Mr. Hathrop ;
" still Bellevue is worth more than five thousand."
" If it is I am willing to pay the extra amount at a
fair valuation," said Phil.
" Mr. Baxter, I had no idea you were such a
generous man," said Mr. Hathrop. " Cyril Melrose
has a true friend in you. I am glad you hold that
mortgage, although, perhaps, I ought not to say so.
We shall easily be able to arrange matters with you,
and Mrs. Melrose can remain in her old home."
"There's the difficulty," said Phil. "Will she
have money enough to keep the place up ? "
" I did not think of that," said Mr. Hathrop. " I
hardly think she will."
" I wish I could arrange to let her have an income
such as she would need," said Phil. " But of course
she would not accept it directly from me."
O 2
196 BANKER AND BROKER.
" She might from me," said Mr. Hathrop. " I think
I could arrange that for you. Rupert is engaged to
my poor Mary," he went on, sadly, " and that might
influence her."
" Try it," said Phil, " and let me know ; but mind,
I must find the money."
" You seem to take a great interest in Mrs. Mel-
rose," said Mr. Hathrop.
"I do," said Phil. "Was not her husband my
best friend, and am I going to desert his wife and
children now he is in trouble."
" I have heard you once admired Mrs. Melrose
before she was married," said Mr. Hathrop.
" I did. I loved her as few men ever loved," said
Phil, honestly.
" And now ? " said Mr. Hathrop.
" I love her still. I am no hypocrite, Mr. Hathrop.
I would give all I possess to save her a moment's
pain. But I never forget she is the wife of another
man, and therefore she is sacred to me."
" Give me your hand," said Mr. Hathrop. " If for
one moment I doubted you, forgive me. Would there
were more men in the world like you."
" There are plenty better men in the world than I
am," said Baxter. " I have not got a very good
character I believe in the commercial world," he went
on, with a smile.
"You are accounted a shrewd business man, I
believe," said Mr. Hathrop. " I know what you are
capable of, and, believe me, I respect you for what
you have done in this matter."
97
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BREATH OF SCANDAL.
TWELVE months quickly pass away, and the years
roll by with alarming rapidity. The older we grow
the faster time flies, and the weeks and months chase
each other in the race which ends for all in death.
To the prisoner in his lonely cell all is different.
It is to him an endless monotony, day after day.
There is no variety for him, and he knows when he
goes to rest at night the morrow will bring forth
nothing new, but the same drudgery, the same strict
prison routine.
To a man of Cyril Melrose's temperament twelve
months' confinement within prison walls seems an
eternity. He had been used to a life full of activity,
full of change, and each day had furnished variety.
The sudden change from mental and bodily activity
to dull monotony had its effect upon him. He had
grown old in a year. Ten years of his former life
would not have changed him in such a manner. His
hair had turned very grey, and there was a dull,
hopeless look in his face which frightened Flora
Melrose each time she saw him, and made her fear
his reason would give way under the change. And
yet he was treated far better than he could have ex-
pected, and had many privileges granted to him which
others, less fortunate, but equally deserving of them,
198 BANKER AND BROKER.
had not. He was a man who quickly made himself
liked, and from the governor of the gaol down to the
humblest warder, he had become a general favourite.
They pitied him, because they saw his mental suffering
was great, and the sense of shame which weighed
heavily upon him they saw was a heavier punishment
than he could bear.
A man of refined temperament suffers horrible
tortures when placed in such a position as Cyril
Melrose. One idea had taken fixed possession of his
mind. He must escape. Another twelve months he
felt would drive him mad. Even now he occasionally
felt his mind wandered, and he sometimes spoke with-
out knowing the exact meaning of what he said. The
visits of his wife cheered him, and he always felt
better after seeing the dear face of the woman he
loved so well.
The reaction, however, after an interview, was
great, and when he thought of the disgrace he had
brought upon his wife and children he writhed in
agony of mind.
Philip Baxter had great difficulty in persuading
Mrs. Melrose to remain at Bellevue. She positively
declined to do so at first. She fully appreciated
Baxter's kindness in saving Bellevue for herself and
the children, but she had scruples about accepting
such a gift at his hands. When Cyril had added his
entreaties to Baxter's she gave way and remained at
the old place, which to her seemed desolate now her
husband was no longer with her.
Baxter was a constant visitor at Bellevue, and he
and Rupert were firm friends.
THE BREATH OF SCANDAL. 199
Rupert Melrose had learned the sterling worth of
Baxter's nature, and the more he knew of him the
better he liked him.
No young man could have had a better mentor.
Baxter was, perhaps, a shade too sharp in his
ordinary dealings with men of business, but with
Rupert he was free and open, and his advice was of
the best. A thorough man of the world in many
things, he knew how to warn Rupert and put him on
his guard against undesirable acquaintances. Not a
week passed without seeing Philip Baxter at Belle-
vue, and Flora Melrose could not deny that his
presence was welcome and cheered her drooping
spirits. She felt a sincere friendship for Baxter, and
was eager to make amends for inwardly wronging
him as she knew she had done many times.
She could see nothing wrong in Philip Baxter's
constant visits. He treated her with the greatest
respect, and she felt that in him she had a true friend.
Of all the numerous acquaintances Cyril had in the
height of his success, Philip Baxter was the only one
who had remained unchanged despite the calamity
that had come upon him.
Men who had fawned upon Cyril Melrose and
flattered him now considered Mrs. Melrose an unde-
sirable acquaintance.
There was a wholesale desertion, but Philip Baxter
remained staunch and true, and Flora Melrose in her
heart thanked him. It is difficult to tell how a scan-
dal first circulates.
A word dropped here and there in the course of
conversation suggests it. As the word passes the
BANKER AND BROKER.
significance increases. Society must have its scandal
or it would die of ennui. If there is no scandal to
hand it must be manufactured. It is easy to raise a
breath of scandal, but it is exceedingly difficult to
suppress it once it has gained ground.
A careless word, perhaps spoken in jest, a mean-
ing look, or a faint hint is quite enough to put breath
into a scandal and make it live.
There is no viler sin upon earth than blackening
the character of a fellow creature. Reputations are
killed by scandal. It is the mainspring of divorce,
the beginning of suspicion and distrust, the cause of
lost honour and virtue, the ruin of innocence and
purity.
Scandal is bred in vice and reared in profligacy.
And yet it is welcomed and encouraged in so-called
good society. It is used as a deadly weapon against
a woman by one of her own sex. It brings shame
upon many an innocent wife, and blights many men's
lives.
When Cyril Melrose had been twelve months in
prison a breath of scandal suddenly arose, no one
exactly knew how, no one exactly knew where, it
had originated. Gradually this scandal grew until it
assumed vast proportions, until it became accepted
as an actual fact.
Miriam Halberd had casually mentioned to an
intimate friend over afternoon tea that Philip Baxter
and Mrs. Melrose were firm friends, and that he was
nearly always at Bellevue.
" Poor woman, she needs some consolation," was
Miriam's comment upon this, and she said it with a
THE BREATH OF SCANDAL. 201
sigh and a curious, meaning look. Her intimate
friend had told another bosom companion in some-
what similar terms, and concluded by saying:
"You know, my dear, it hardly looks proper. I
wonder Mrs. Melrose cannot see it is indiscreet, to
say the least of it. Of course I would not for a
moment say there was anything wrong between them,
but she really ought to be more careful, if only for
the sake of her children."
For the sake of her children. What hypocrisy,
madam. Are you not doing your best to injure
those children with your lying tongue? And the
third woman related what she had heard to a fourth,
and the scandal passed from mouth to mouth.
Wives told their husbands, the husbands told their
acquaintances, and soon it became common talk at
the clubs that Philip Baxter was more than he ought
to be to the wife of his friend, Cyril Melrose.
Philip Baxter was not an admirer of clubland, and
he had supreme contempt for the men who wasted
their time there. Therefore- he heard none of this
fast growing scandal. The persons most interested
are often unaware of what is being said about them.
Miriam Halberd heard this scandal grow with much
delight. She hated Flora Melrose for robbing her of
Cyril, the only man she had ever loved. She saw in
Baxter's visits to Bellevue a fitting subject to enlarge
upon. As she sat in her own room Miriam Halberd
did not look a pleasant woman by any means.
There was a wicked look upon her face, a hard,
cruel smile playing round her mouth. She looked
like a tigress about to spring upon her prey.
202 BANKER AND BROKER.
Miriam Halberd broke the fan she had in her hands
with passion, and cast the pieces on the floor.
" I would give my life if I could see her steeped in
sin," she said. <f I hate her, and I hate him. Do I
hate him ? No. I wish I did. But he must suffer
for the wrong he has done me. He has one grand
support in his gloomy prison life. He loves her, and
he knows she loves him. If he thought his wife were
untrue to him it would kill him. He shall know, he
must believe she is false. No one can make him
believe that but myself. I feel I could make him
believe it. Perhaps then he would turn again to me."
Her face became radiant at this thought. That
would indeed be a triumph. " I must see him," she
went on. " I shall learn my lesson well, and he will
believe me."
Now she had made up her mind to see Cyril
Melrose, Miriam Halberd was not slow to obtain the
required permission, which was readily granted.
She felt her task was difficult, and she knew it was
a vile thing she was about to do.
As she passed into the prison she felt inclined
to draw back. She followed the warder almost
mechanically, and before she had time to collect her
thoughts, he had opened a door and said with an air
of civility, not often used towards prisoners:
" A visitor to see you, Mr. Melrose."
203
CHAPTER XIX.
a woman's hate.
When Cyril Melrose saw his visitor his face
betrayed his astonishment. Miriam Halberd was the
last person in the world he would have expected to
see, and he instinctively felt her visit boded no good.
As for Miriam, she hardly recognised in the man
before her the handsome, dashing lover of early days,
or the prosperous married man of later years. It
shocked her to see this change in him, and almost
made her falter in her purpose. She was not over
sensitive, however, and that feeling quickly passed
away as the image of Flora Melrose came vividly
before her.
Cyril was the first to break the painful silence.
" Why have you come here ?" he said, hoarsely.
"To gloat over my misfortunes, to witness my
degradation, and to laugh at my misery ? Could you
not leave me in peace after all these years ? I
thought you had forgotten me, forgotten the past,
and in your new life had found consolation for the
folly of other days. Well, you have your revenge.
You see me a wretched criminal in a common prison,
and you ought to be satisfied."
"You are wrong, Cyril," she said. "I did not
come to gloat over your misery. I have not
204 BANKER AND BROKER.
forgotten the time when we were happy together,
and you swore you loved me. You were false to the
vows you made, and cast me aside as you would a
broken toy. I came as a friend, not as an enemy."
" Then you appear in quite a new character," he
said, bitterly. " Your friendship, Miriam, has ruined
men before now."
" It did not ruin you, Cyril Melrose," she replied.
" Have I not good cause to hate you, and have I ever
done you any wrong ? "
"You were quite as much to blame as myself," he
answered. " You led me on, and taught me what it
was to loose self-respect and honour. In your
company I learned to sin deeply, and you acted the
part of temptress admirably. You never loved
me, Miriam, and I never loved you. Such feelings
as we had for each other are not akin to love. We
were mutually satisfied for a time, nothing more."
Miriam Halberd's eyes flashed as she said:
" You never loved me, perhaps not. Men are
deceivers, and women are their lawful prey. But I
loved you, Cyril Melrose, with all the ardour of my
passionate nature, and," she added in a softened tone
of voice, " I love you still. Yes, Cyril, it is the truth.
Strange as it may seem after all these years, I love
you still."
He laughed; a jarring, sneering laugh, and it set
her blood on fire.
"What do you know of love?" he said. "You,
the sport and plaything of men, and leading the life
you do, can know nothing of higher and nobler
feelings."
A WOMAN'S HATE. 205
" Stop," she said, in such a tone that Cyril Melrose
started. " How dare you accuse me of such a thing.
You forget what you are. You have no right to
accuse me of wrong-doing."
" I have not," said Cyril. " Pardon me. For the
moment I forgot what I am. Why did you come
here ? " he asked again.
"To warn you, Cyril; to put you on your guard."
He looked amazed, and said :
" What danger threatens me ? What have you to
warn me against ? "
" Let me ask you a question," said Miriam.
Cyril nodded his head.
" Can you trust your friend, Philip Baxter ? " she
said.
" Is that all you have to ask me ? Did you come
here to warn me against Philip Baxter ? If so you
may leave at once. He is the best friend an unfor-
tunate man ever had."
"You thjnk so," said Miriam, with an incredulous
smile.
" I am sure of it," he answered. " Had it not been
for Philip Baxter my wife and children would not
enjoy the home they do now, and I should be miserable
in thinking there was no one to lend them a helping
hand. Miriam Halberd, you cannot say one word
against Philip Baxter."
"He is very cunning," said Miriam ; "and you are
easily duped."
"What do you mean?" said Cyril.
" I mean that Philip Baxter is the worst friend you
ever had in your life."
206 banker and broker.
" It is not true," said Cyril. " You can know
nothing of him. He has never spoken to you in his
life."
"I do know him" said Miriam, "if he does not
know me. He is a traitor. Did I not feel for you
even now, Cyril, I should never have come to see you
to warn you against that man."
She spoke earnestly, and Cyril in spite of himself
felt uneasy at her words. She saw the effect she had
produced, and went on :
" I believe Philip Baxter owns your house. Is he
the man to give when he receives nothing in return ?
What motive had he for getting possession of your
property? How did he get possession of it?"
"I mortgaged it to him in the ordinary course of
business," said Cyril. " Had he not got it some one
else would. I had to raise the money, and went to
him as a friend in preference to a man I did not
know."
" And your friend," said Miriam, sarcastically, " de-
manded your house as security for a paltry loan.
Truly, a grand act of friendship."
Cyril remembered he had thought Baxter hard in
his dealings when he accepted the mortgage on
Bellevue.
" He has worked his plans very well, and they have
succeeded admirably so far. If you do not stop him
he will accomplish all he has planned, and then you
will know your friend in his true character," she
said.
" Miriam, speak plainly. What do you know ?" he
asked excitedly.
A WOMAN'S HATE. 207
"What all the world knows," she said—"that
Philip Baxter is in love with the wife of Cyril
Melrose," she said, calmly, and then watched the
effect of her words.
For a moment Cyril seemed stunned and dazed,
and could not utter a word. He looked about him
with a vacant air, and then staggered to a seat. He
was evidently trying to grasp the full purport of her
meaning. Suddenly he started to his feet. He seized
Miriam by the wrist, and bending his face close to
hers, said fiercely :
" How do you know this ? What proof have you ?
How dare you lie to me ? "
" Let me go and I will tell you," she said.
He released her wrist, and the marks of his fingers
could be clearly seen on her white skin. "When I
say Philip Baxter loves your wife is it not true?" she
asked. " You know it is true. He has always loved
her. He has never forgiven you for marrying her, and
he never will. His whole life has been a plot to gain
the woman he loves, and when once Philip Baxter
makes up his mind to possess anything he generally
succeeds."
" How do you know he loved her ? " said Cyril.
" I tell you the truth, never mind how I know it,"
she said. " I hear many strange things in the society
I am in. You know yourself what I say is true."
" He would never dare to make love to my wife,"
said Cyril. " I tell you it is an infernal lie," he said,
with another burst of passion.
" He is constantly with her at Bellevue," said
Miriam. " He goes there nearly every day. People
208 banker and broker.
will talk. They are often seen together. He is often
alone with her, and they say she "
" Say one word against my wife and I will knock
you down, although you are a woman," said Cyril.
Miriam shrugged her shoulders. She saw the
poison was working, and she was satisfied. " I am
not afraid of you," she said. " This is a strange way of
requiting me when I came to do you a kindness."
"You came to make me more wretched, if possible,
than I am," he said. " I know you too Well, Miriam.
It's revenge you want, but you have failed. I do not
believe one word you say."
" If you do not believe me then question your
wife," she said. " Ask her if Philip Baxter is not a
constant guest at Bellevue, and then find out what
opinion she has of your best friend. Do not rouse
her suspicions. I do not say she has given him
encouragement, although I should be justified in
saying so. Hear me out," she went on, for Cyril had
motioned her to stop. " I think you ought to know
what people say. It is common talk at every social
gathering that Philip Baxter and your wife are more
to each other than they ought to be. I do not say
this is true, but you ought to know it, and it is for
you to find out the truth from her. Think for one
moment of the temptation in her way. How have
you treated her ? Is it not to a great extent your own
fault that such a scandal could arise. I know what
women are. You may think your wife immaculate,
a saint, above suspicion. I was once a good woman,
although you may not believe it. You were the man
that first caused me to know what love really meant,
A WOMAN'S HATE.
and then you made me know how to hate. It is not
because I hate your wife, the woman who robbed me
of what was morally mine, if not legally, that I am
here. I came, Cyril, to warn you in time, because I
felt how basely you were being wronged."
Had Cyril thought over Miriam's words he would
probably have guessed her motive from the hatred
she had expressed against his wife. But he did not
think. He hastily jumped to the conclusion that
Philip Baxter was proving himself a traitor. He
would not believe Flora was at fault. He knew he
could trust her implicitly.
There was another silence, and then Miriam said
almost in a whisper :
" Cyril, if this be true, as I firmly believe it to be
true, you must escape."
He started. How many times had he thought of
escaping.
''Yes, I must escape," he answered, echoing her
thoughts and words.
" I have money," she said; " that will do much.
You are not strictly watched. You have many
privileges other persons have not. It would not be
difficult to arrange."
"I will think it over," he said ; " I will do as you
say, and question my wife."
Miriam Halberd's eyes gleamed .with triumph.
How she hated Flora Melrose. She knew now she
had still some influence with Cyril, and she meant to
use it.
Before she left she promised to see him again as
soon as possible.
P
2io * BANKER AND BROKER.
"You can rely upon me, Cyril," she said. " I will
do all I can for you, and when next I see you
perhaps it will be to arrange a plan of escape."
"There will be no need of that," he said. "I
shall learn from my wife's own lips all you have said
is false. You have been misled, Miriam. People
will talk, and I think I can see now how all this
business has arisen."
He spoke so calmly she felt afraid the impression
she had made would not be lasting. Then she
thought, "he will brood over what I have said when
he is alone. It will haunt him night and day until he
sees her, and the more he thinks over it the more
will he be inclined to believe."
Miriam Halberd had thought correctly. Cyril did
brood oVer what she h^d said, and the more he
thought over it the more uneasy he became.
He felt it was base and ungrateful to distrust his
wife, but when he considered the position he had
placed her in he thought there could be some excuse
for such conduct.
That Philip Baxter, his old friend, should act in
such a manner he could hardly believe, and yet
Miriam had spoken confidently, and without hesi-
tation. When he thought of the mortgage Baxter
had accepted on Bellevue, he saw true reason for his
acceptance of it. Surely Philip Baxter could not
have anticipated the calamity that had befallen him,
and obtained possession of the house in the hope of
being able to gain over Flora to his side.
The suspense nearly drove him mad. He was
determined to question his wife carefully the next
A WOMAN'S HATE. 211
time she came to see him, and in such a way that it
would not arouse her suspicions of his motive. He
could soon tell by her manner whether there was
anything wrong. Her face would be sure to betray
her if she was guilty. But he could not bear to
harbour a thought of her guilt. He knew, however,
how such scandals spread, and he dreaded what
such a woman as Miriam could do to blacken his
wife's name.
The loneliness of his prison was terrible to him
now. That hope of escape Miriam Halberd had
hinted kept recurring to him. If he could only
obtain his freedom he would watch Philip Baxter
and his wife, and judge for himself.
Miriam was a bold, dangerous woman, and he felt
he could rely upon her, if escape were possible.
Money could do most things, and it might even
open his prison doors. Such things had happened
before, why not again.
If he had to remain his sentence out he had very
little hope of ever living the time through.
In the meantime he anxiously awaited his wife's
next visit.
P 2
212 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XX.
husband and wife.
When Flora Melrose visited Cyril the meeting was
painful to both. The bitterness of the situation was felt,
and prospects for the future looked dark and dreary.
A few days after Miriam Halberd had poisoned
Cyril's mind against his wife with base insinuations,
Flora Melrose came to see him.
After conversing with him for some time she felt
his manner was cold and constrained, as though
something had come between them.
She could not understand it, and she dreaded to
ask what had happened to cause the change in him.
She often feared his mind would give way, and
perhaps this accounted for his conduct at times.
Cyril kept asking her peculiar questions, the
meanings of which she was quite at a loss to com-
•prehend.
" Philip Baxter is a frequent visitor at Bellevue,"
said Cyril.
"Yes," she replied. "I do not know what we
should do without him. He has, indeed, proved a
good friend, Cyril. He is very fond of Lilian and
Rupert, and as an adviser he has been invaluable."
" How often does he visit you ? " asked Cyril.
" Three or four times a week," said Flora. " He
comes in when he likes, and occasionally he remains
all night. But why do you ask, Cyril ? Have I not
HUSBAND AND WIFE. 213
told you before all he has done for us. Has not
Philip told you he often sees us?"
"She calls him Philip," thought Cyril. Aloud he said:
"And do you think it is wise to let Philip Baxter
be such a constant visitor at Bellevue, and more
especially if he remains for the night."
Flora looked surprised, as well she might. She
was at a loss for an answer at first, and Cyril argued
unfavourably from her hesitation.
"What can you mean, Cyril?" she exclaimed.
" What possible harm can there be in Philip visiting
us. He is the only true friend we have."
Cyril was rapidly losing his temper, which of late
had been none of the best.
"There's a good deal of harm in it," he said,
roughly. " People will talk, you know."
She was still mystified, as she said :
" Talk about what ? "
" Baxter's constant visits to you," said Cyril, and
he laid such emphasis on the you that she could
not fail to have some faint idea of his meaning.
Flora Melrose coloured slightly, but it was with
indignation. She answered coldly:
"Cyril, I think I understand you. I can hardly believe
what I have heard. Philip Baxter is a gentleman,
and a true friend to both of us, and also our children."
" I say people will talk," said Cyril, curtly. " He
may be all you say. I dare say he is. Do you know
what I have heard?"
" No," she answered, indignantly, " nor do I wish to
know. If you have not faith in me, Cyril, you cannot
have loved me as I have loved you, and do still."
214 BANKER AND BROKER.
"You shall know," said Cyril, "you must know,
and I must have an answer, or I shall go mad. It is
the common talk of the town, and your name is
always coupled with Baxter's."
" How dare they," said Flora, rising, and her usually
mild eyes flashing. " How dare they tell such cruel
lies. Oh, Cyril, and you can believe such scandal? "
" 1 did not say I believed it," said Cyril.
" But I can see by your face you doubt me," she
said, bitterly.
" Listen to me, Flora. You say Philip Baxter is
often at Bellevue, and that he remains sometimes all
night. Cannot you see what scandal this may give
rise to ? " he said.
" No," she said. " Philip Baxter is a man I would
trust under any circumstances."
"Which means, I suppose, that I am not to be
trusted," said Cyril, bitterly. " Well, perhaps, you
are right. It would have been better for you, Flora,
had you accepted Philip Baxter in preference to Cyril
Melrose."
He was unjust and cruel, and he knew it, but he
felt he must speak out.
" You have no right to speak to me like that, Cyril.
Have I not been a true and faithful wife to you all
these years? Philip Baxter is nothing more to me
than a kind friend, and you know it. Who has told
you this infamous lie ? " she asked.
" Never mind who told me," he said. " You see I
know a good deal of what goes on in the world out-
side, if I am a prisoner."
" I have a right to know who told you," she said.
HUSBAND AND WIFE. 215
" And I tell you again I shall not tell you."
Cyril was making a mistake in dealing with his
wife in this manner. Flora Melrose had a dauntless
spirit. She came of a proud, daring and ancient
race, and honour with her came first. She felt how
unjust were the accusations Cyril brought against
her, and she was indignant as well as pained that he
should have doubted her for an instant. She
remained silent, and Cyril went on :
"You must forbid Baxter the house, Flora. He
must not pay you these constant visits. Here am I
cooped up in this vile hole, and he is constantly
enjoying the society of my wife. I say it is scandal-
ous. I have wondered you have not seen the impro-
priety of it yourself. Do you hear me, Flora? I say
again, Philip Baxter must not visit you at Bellevue."
He had done it at last. Flora Melrose felt he had
insulted her. The husband she had devotedly loved
for years, and had prayed for day and night during
his time of trouble, doubted her wifely faith. The
monstrous nature of his doubt appalled her. She
looked at him with a glance of contempt. Cyril had
never seen such a look in that still beautiful face
before. Her outraged womanhood rebelled against
her husband, who had surely no right to upbraid her
considering all the disgrace he had put upon her.
" Do you hear what I say ? " repeated Cyril.
"Yes," she said, quietly.
" And you will forbid Baxter the house."
"No," was the calm reply.
Cyril was amazed. He had expected a ready com-
pliance with his wishes.
216 BANKER AND BROKER.
"Then it is true," he gasped.
"What is true? " she asked, proudly.
" That Baxter is more —— "
" Stop, Cyril," she said. " You have said quite
enough. We have been degraded and disgraced,
and now you must put upon me the greatest insult
a woman could receive. You have indeed changed,
Cyril. I can make allowances for you, because I
believe you have suffered much, but, oh Cyril, how
can you believe such vile things of me."
"Forbid Baxter the house," said Cyril.
" I shall not," she answered, firmly. " He has done
no wrong. He has been a true friend, and I shall not
insult him. You can explain to him. It is not for
me to forbid him to come to his own house, for
such it is."
"He's a scoundrel," said Cyril. "He has taken
advantage of my position. He has always loved you.
He loves you still."
Flora Melrose was about to answer when the
warder said, as he opened the door :
" Mr. Baxter wishes to see you, Mr. Melrose."
Before Cyril had time to speak Mrs. Melrose said :
"Admit him. He will not mind my being here."
" Flora, what do you mean ? " said Cyril.
" I mean you can tell Mr. Baxter, in my presence,
that his visits to Bellevue must cease."
"Hallo, Cyril. You here, Mrs. Melrose; this is
an unexpected pleasure," said Philip, heartily, as he
held out his hand to Cyril, after shaking hands with
Mrs. Melrose. Cyril did not take.the proffered hand,
but locxked hard at Phil, who could not understand
HUSBAND AND WIFE. 217
what had happened. He saw something was wrong,
and waited for Cyril to speak.
" Mr. Baxter," said Flora Melrose, " my husband
has something to say to you, which, I think, had
better be said in my presence."
" What can he possibly have to say, Mrs. Melrose,
which you must hear? " said the astonished Phil.
" A good deal," said Cyril, in a passion.
" Then say on," calmly answered Phil, who hardly
noted Cyril's manner.
"I will. Listen to me, Philip Baxter. At one
time I believed you to be my best friend. I know
you are not over scrupulous in business matters, but
I thought I could trust you. I was rather surprised
when you asked me for Bellevue as security for a
sum of money you advanced me. At the time I
fancied it was a mere formality, but now I see your
reason for it. You have always been noted for
looking well ahead, and no doubt you fancied you
saw the time coming when I should be in difficulties."
Philip nodded assent, and this angered Cyril the
more.
"So you took up a mortgage on my house, as a
means of securing favours from my wife when I was
no longer on the scene to protect her."
" What do you mean ?" said Baxter, his face as
black as thunder, and his fists clenched. "Take
care; man, what you say ; remember who is here."
"I do remember," said Cyril. "I have found you
out, Philip Baxter. I have heard what the talk of
the town is. I have heard that my best friend, Philip
Baxter, is paying far too much attention to his
218 BANKER AND BROKER.
friend's wife while that friend is unavoidably absent,"
said Cyril, bitterly.
" Melrose, you ought to be ashamed of yourself,"
said Baxter, controlling his temper by a violent effort.
" It is true," foamed Cyril. " She has said herself
you are there three or four times a week, and some-
times remain all night. What other construction will
the world put upon your actions ? "
" Melrose," said Baxter, earnestly, " I have always
been your friend. Who has filled your mind with
slanderous lies I do not know, but you may rest
assured it has been done for some vile purpose of
revenge. Have you no shame in you, man, to accuse
your wife of such base intrigues ? Has she not been
a far truer woman to you than ever you deserved ?
Melrose, I loved your wife in days gone by as few
men ever loved. I shall never marry, I would not
wrong the memory of that dead passion by such a de-
secration. In your presence and in hers I can say with
truth I have never once wronged your wife by so much
as a look or a word. I have endeavoured to shield her
from the consequences of your folly. For her sake I
would have paid your defalcations had it reduced me
to beggary. I would willingly take your place now, in
order to give you back to her as you once were.
Look at your wife, Cyril Melrose, and dare to make
such accusations against her. Look me in the
face like a man, and say you believe what has been
told you is a lie. It is a lie," said Phil, vehemently,
" a foul, cruel, lie. I swear to you as I hope for
mercy for my sins that I have never wronged your
wife by so much as a thought. At one time I envied
HUSBAND AND WIFE. 219
you your lot. That is past. All I have done has
been to make your wife and children as happy as
they could be, without your presence. If Mrs.
Melrose bids me never see her again, I will obey her,
but that will make no difference in what I shall con-
tinue to do for you and yours."
" You hear him, Flora. Tell him what I have said,"
said Cyril.
She did not answer.
" I forbid you ever to enter my house again," said
Cyril.
Baxter made no reply. He looked at Flora Melrose.
"Is that your wish, Mrs. Melrose? " he asked.
"No," she said, firmly; "it would only confirm
this vile scandal if it exists."
" If it exists," shouted Cyril. " It does exist. Con-
firmation indeed. You have confirmed my belief in the
truth of it. You cannot part with Mr. Philip Baxter.
You had better go home together, and leave me here."
Philip Baxter put his hand on Cyril's shoulder with
such force that he sank down into a chair.
" Melrose, you are. mad," he said. " Have you lost
all the sense of honour you ever possessed? Has
this life degraded you ? Look at your wife now."
Flora Melrose was pale as death. Cyril's last
insult had been too much for her. She would have
fainted had not Baxter caught her and led her to a seat.
Cyril felt ashamed of himself, but he would not
show it. His obstinate nature still predominated.
" I am better now," said Flora, faintly, as Philip
handed her a drink. " I think I will go home," she
said, wearily. " Good-bye, Cyril. God forgive you."
22o BANKER AND BROKER.
Cyril Melrose felt a yearning desire to clasp her in
his arms, and ask her forgiveness. He hesitated, and
before he had time to answer his wife had left the room.
Baxter turned on him, and said :
" You are a heartless fool, Melrose. I care not a
jot for myself, but it is shameful the way you have
treated your wife."
" Baxter, I hardly know what I have said," moaned
Cyril.
"You have shaken your wife's faith in you. She
will find it hard to forgive you. She may forgive,
but she will never forget," said Baxter.
"You love her, Baxter?" said Cyril.
Baxter was silent. He could not tell a lie where she
was concerned. He loved Flora Melrose far deeper than
ever such a nature as Cyril's was capable of loving.
"You must silence this scandal, Baxter. I may
have been hasty. Sometimes I fancy I am mad. Go
to her. Tell her I was not myself. Make some
excuse for me," said Cyril.
Baxter's better nature revolted at the shallowness
of the man. How little Melrose seemed to think of
the irreparable wrong he had done.
" I will tell her what you say," he said, and without
further remark left Cyril to his unpleasant meditations.
"You love her, Baxter," rang in Philip's ears, as
he went into the city again. "You love her, Baxter,"
rang in his ears all that day. "You love her, Baxter,"
was ringing in his ears as he went to see her that
night to deliver Cyril's message.
And Baxter knew it was the truth.
221
CHAPTER XXI.
LILIAN'S LOVER.
A FIERCE tumult was raging in Philip Baxter's
breast as he walked rapidly along the road on his
way to Bellevue to deliver Cyril's message.
He was thinking of the time when he had first met
Flora Melrose in the full splendour of her youthful
beauty. How different his life would have been had
she become his wife instead of Cyril's. Useless
regrets. He must think of what was best to be done
in the present turn affairs had taken.
In due time he reached Bellevue, but hesitated as
to whether he should go in doors even now.
Once having made up his mind, Baxter went to the
hall door and rang the bell, and in another moment
he was in the presence of the only woman he had
ever loved, and loved still.
Flora Melrose rose to greet him with a sad
face, and held out her hand, which he pressed
gently.
" I am so glad you have come," she said; " I feel
very lonely to-night."
" Cyril asked me to come," said Baxter. " He
asked me to crave your forgiveness and pardon for
his hasty words, which I am sure he now repents
bitterly having spoken."
" Those words should never have been spoken,"
said Flora Melrose. " He should have treated such
222 BANKER AND BROKER.
a vile slander with the scorn it deserved. It was
shameful of him. Forgive him I can, but I shall
never forget. And you," she went on, looking at
Philip, " who had been so good, so generous to us all.
When I think of what Cyril said, and must have
thought of you, it is still harder to forgive him. Had
it not been for you what would have become of us ?
I hardly know how to thank you. And for the
world to couple your name with, mine in this shame-
ful manner—oh ! it is too horrible—too horrible,"
and Flora Melrose covered her face with her
hands.
He talked earnestly with Flora Melrose, and tried
hard to convince her Cyril was deeply penitent.
But he could ill conceal a doubtful wring in his voice,
for he had his own doubts as to the sincerity of
Cyril's repentance for his hasty words.
" It may be as you say," said Flora, when he had
finished, " but when such an impression as that
graihs hold of a mind like Cyril's it is difficult to blot
it out."
" It will be better for me not to visit you here,"
said Baxter, sorrowfully.
" That must rest with yourself," she answered. " I
shall always be pleased to receive you, for you are
the best friend I ever had, or my children ever had."
" If I continue my visits here, perhaps this scandal
will spread," said Philip.
" Let it," she said. " I care not. Knowing we
have done no wrong, what matters the opinion of
a few people whose ways of living suggest such
thoughts. No. I had rather you continued to visit
LILIAN'S LOVER.
223
us, and by doing so openly "give the lie to these
slanderous tongues. Who could have told Cyril?"
she said, suddenly.
"I cannot think who put such a notion into his
head," said Baxter.
" I wish you could find out," she said. " It might
help us in exposing the slanderer."
" I will do my best you may be sure," said Philip.
" The warder will be able to tell me who visited Cyril
shortly before we saw him."
Rupert Melrose entered the room and put an end
to further conversation.
"Well, Rupert, how are you?" said Baxter.
" Looking better than usual, I think."
"Yes, I feel better to-night," he replied. "I have
just seen Mary, and this morning the doctor gave her
permission to sit up for a couple of hours. He has great
hopes of her recovery in the course of a few months."
"That is good news, indeed," said his mother.
" Poor Mary, she has been a great sufferer."
" It is'that has worried me," said Rupert. " She has
borne it all so patiently. Where is Lilian, mother?"
" At the Alton's," said Mrs. Melrose.
" I think Lil should not go there so often," said
Rupert.
" Why, my dear. Surely the Alton's are desirable
acquaintances. They move in good society. True,
there is no Mrs. Alton, but Mr. Alton is to all
appearances a gentleman, and Lilian is very fond of
Willie, and I am sure he is of her."
" That's all right as far as it goes, mother. Will's
not a bad sort when he's let alone, but he's got into
224 BANKER AND BROKER.
a bad set, and he's haild and glove with Mark Halberd,
and he is a man I do not like."
• Mark Halberd.
The effect of that name upon Flora Melrose was
startling. She seemed suddenly to have become
another woman.
" Who is Mark Halberd ? " she asked, in a voice
quivering with intense feeling.
"Really, mother, I hardly know," said Rupert. "His
mother is, I believe, a widow, and a great friend of
Mr. Alton's. I have never seen her to my know-
ledge."
" Mrs. Halberd, a friend of Mr. Alton's. You must
be mistaken," said Flora.
" I do not think he is," said Philip. " Mrs.
Halberd has only known Mr. Alton about three or
four months. He did not know her before his wife
died. Mark Halberd when he became friends with
Will Alton introduced his mother to him, and the son
in turn introduced her to the father."
Mrs. Melrose saw at once what she ought to do.
Lilian must never again visit the house if Miriam
Halberd was a visitor there. She shuddered at the
bare idea of her daughter coming in contact ; with
such a woman—a woman who had once been Cyril's
"light-o'-love"—for Flora knew enough of Miriam
Halberd's character to know in what relation she
must have stood toward Cyril.
"You are quite right, Rupert. I had no idea such
a person as Mrs. Halberd visited at the Alton's, and
I am sure Mark Halberd is not a desirable acquain-
tance for Willie."
LILIAN'S LOVER.
225
" Don't be rash with Lilian, Mrs. Melrose," said
Philip. " She is high-spirited, and does not want
checking too suddenly. Will Alton seems a nice
fellow, and if I can give him a word of kindly advice
about Mr. Mark Halberd I will do so. I have not a
very high opinion of that gentleman's probity either
on the turf or off it."
"I will speak 'to Lilian to-night," said Mrs.
Melrose.
A ring at the bell, followed by a laughing voice in
the hall.
" Come in, Will. See me safely into my mother's
arms once more," and Lilian bounced into the room,
followed by Will Alton.
Will Alton had altered considerably since that
glorious excursion on the " Flora," when he made one
of the party, and paid so much attention to Lilian.
He was a good-looking young fellow, lightly, but
strongly built, and not very tall.
" I have delivered Lilian safe, and sound, Mrs.
Melrose," he said. " She is a great handful to
manage> I can assure you."
" No impertinence, please," said Lilian. " A great
handful, indeed," and she tossed her pretty head.
" Well, to be precise and correct, a great armful
then," laughed Will.
" Oh, Will, how can you," said Lilian, blushing.
" By-the-by," said Baxter, " can I see you at my
office to-morrow, Alton ? I want to speak to you on a
matter of importance."
"All right. Eleven sharp," said Will. "What's
it about? Not a lecture on the folly of horse-racing,
Q
226 BANKER AND BROKER.
is it ? Mrs. Melrose, I can assure you Mr. Baxter
takes quite an interest in my welfare."
"I am glad to hear it," she said. " He will give
you some good advice."
" Which is more than my father does, you might
add, I suppose, Mrs. Melrose."
" I did not say so," she replied.
" But you looked it. Well, never mind, I must be
off," and having bade them good night, he went out
with Lilian.
" Good night, Lil," he said, as he kissed her. " You
are the best little girl on earth. You must be sure and
come and see me ride Dandy Dick in the Hunt Club
Steeplechase at Parramatta."
" Of course I will," she said, gaily. " Am I not
engaged in embroidering your sash with my own fair
hands ? "
In another moment he was gone, and Lilian
could hear the clatter of the horse's hoofs on the
hard road.
(< There's Will gone off at a great pace again," she
said. " I wish he wouldn't ride so fast. Oh,
Mr. Baxter, he says I must be sure and go to
the Hunt Club Steeplechase. He rides Dandy Dick
in it."
" Whew ! " whistled Phil. " Dandy Dick, eh;
that's the horse Mark Halberd sold him. Not a
nice one to handle, but he can fence, and has
no end of pace. I expect Mr. Mark reckoned
he'd got a safer mount than Dandy Dick for him-
self, so he sold that horse to his friend. Kind, I
am sure."
LILIAN'S LOVER.
227
"Nothing of the kind," said Lilian. "Will had the
greatest difficulty in inducing Mr. Halberd to part
with the horse."
" Hem ! " grunted Phil.
"There, don't be a bear," said Lilian. "It's true,
I assure you."
"No doubt," said Phil. "Wanted to get a bigger
price by seeming loth to part with such a
treasure."
" That's about it, I expect," said Rupert.
"You neither of you know anything about it," said
Lilian. "Mother, I met Mrs. Halberd for the first
time to-night. She was so nice to me. Said you
were an old friend of hers, and wished me to give her
love to you, and asked if you would care for her to
call and see you."
Flora Melrose's anger nearly mastered her, but by
a great effort she controlled herself. This woman had
dared to insult her through her innocent child. And
then, quick as lightning, it flashed through her brain,
" Miriam Halberd poisoned Cyril's mind against you."
She saw it all now, and curiously enough the same
thought occurred to Phil Baxter at the mention of
Miriam Halberd's name.
When Philip Baxter had gone Mrs. Melrbse said to
her daughter :
" Lilian, if Mrs. Halberd visits Mr. Alton's house it
is not a fit place for my daughter to visit."
" Mother," said Lilian, amazed.
"Believe me, I am right, my child. I know this
woman too well. Lilian, promise me you will not
visit the Alton's again."
Q 2
228 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Oh, mother, I cannot. What would Willie say ? "
cried Lilian.
" I will speak to Willie, myself," said her mother.
''I do not object to him, Lilian. He is rather wild,
but, I believe, good at heart. Mark Halberd is no fit
acquaintance for him."
" What do you know of the Halberds, mother?"
said Lilian.
" Nothing good, dear. Believe me, Lilian, I am
doing this for the best. I am sure Willie will see it
in the same light."
" But it is so strange, mother, for me to suddenly
cease visiting them. What excuse am I to make to
Mr. Alton if he asks me ? " said Lilian.
"Tell him the truth, Lilian. Say I object to your
visiting a house in which Mrs. Halberd is made
welcome. He will ask you no further questions."
" Is she a bad woman, mother ? "
" She is a very wicked woman, Lilian. We will
not talk of her again."
" Mother, dear, I will do as you wish/ said Lilian,
as she kissed her; " but do not try and part me from
Willie. It .would break my heart," and she laid her
face on her mother's breast.
"And do you love him so very much, Lilian ?" she
asked.
" Oh, yes, mother, very, very dearly."
Flora sighed as she bent and kissed her child's fair
head. She had loved " very, very dearly" herself,
and how had all her happiness suddenly been
shattered.
229
CHAPTER XXII.
bad company.
Mark Halberd was a true son of his mother. He
had been a plotter and schemer against the rest of
mankind ever since his school days, and even during
those days he was noted for getting the best of his
schoolmates whenever an opportunity presented
itself.* He was a man to avoid, and by no means a
desirable acquaintance for Will Alton, who was much
younger, and with a decided tendency to be easily led.
William Alton had fallen in love with Lilian Mel-
rose when they were boy and girl together, and as he
grew into manhood his love had become stronger.
The downfall of Cyril Melrose had made no change
in young Alton's affections, although his father ever
since the crash had resolutely set his face against the
match. But if the^elder Alton had a will of his own,
so had the younger, and he was obstinate in his de-
termination not to give up Lilian.
Mark Halberd had made it his business to know
Will Alton, and whenever Mark made up his mind to
know a person he soon found the means.
He knew now the secret of his birth, of his mother's
life, and her present mode of living, and he hated
Cyril Melrose and all connected with him as the cause
of his mother's present position, and to do the man
justice he was fond of her in his own selfish way.
230 BANKER AND BROKER.
Halberd gambled, and like Cyril had been heavily
hit over the scratching of Musketry for the Cup. He
believed Melrose had scratched the horse to deceive
the public, and had won money over his Metropolitan.
He knew Ward, the trainer, had often frequented
Loo Key's gambling den, where he found many men
connected with the lower branches of the turf.
Mark Halberd had not been unfortunate in his turf
speculations. He had won a considerable sum of
money at one time or another, and had now got a
horse or two of his own.
He was ambitious, and had sethis heart on winning
the Hunt Club Steeplechase, which he knew would
bring him considerably into prominence.
Dandy Dick had been one of his first purchases,
and when he found out the horse was a rogue, al-
though a good hunter, he managed to get rid of him
at a satisfactory figure to his friend Alton. It only
wanted a month to the steeplechase, and he was now
getting into form to ride his own horse, Prism, in that
event.
Prism was trained by Alec Ward, who had a great
opinion of him, and fancied he would win. Ward,
however, would far rather have had a more expe-
rienced jockey on his back.
The day after the events recorded in the last
chapter, Mark Halberd met Will Alton at the Empire
Hotel. They had a drink, and the steeplechase
cropped up in the course of conversation.
" I like Dandy Dick immensely," said Alton, "and
he will about win, Mark. I think you sold me the
wrong horse, and he is sure to beat Prism."
BAD COMPANY.
231
" Not he," said Mark. "If you like to back your
opinion, I'll take my horse against yours for a ' pony,'
— or make it fifty if you like."
" A ' pony' will be quite enough for me," said
Alton. " I'll bet you that amount if you like."
"Very well," said Halberd, as he booked the wager
in his pocket-book. " Going anywhere to-night,
Will?" he added.
" No ; nowhere in particular," said Will.
" Then come with me. I've ordered a little supper
at the Paris House. One or two fair ladies from the
Royal, and a friend or two of mine."
"I'll come," said Will. Then he thought, "By
Jove, that's hardly fair to Lil."
Halberd saw he hesitated, and said:
" Don't put yourself out to come. Perhaps you
have some genuine love affair on. Miss Melrose
objects to supper parties, I have no doubt. She's
quite right, too."
" I half promised I'd see her to-night," said Will.
" However, I'm a pretty regular attendant at her shrine,
so she can spare me for one evening at any rate."
Will Alton looked at his watch, and said:
" I must be off to the paternal office now. I'll see
you at half-past ten, Mark.
"Au revoir," said Mark, and as he looked after
Will's retreating figure^ thought:
" You're an innocent lamb. I shall take good care
Miss Lilian discovers where you have been. How I
hate that tribe. I wish I could ruin every Melrose
living. Lilian is beautiful. By Jove, I should not
mind possessing her myself. Dandy Dick will win,
232 BANKER AND BROKER.
will he my boy ? Not if I know it. I've too much
depending on the result for that. I'd break his neck,
and yours, too, my friend, before that happened ; at
all hazards, Prism must win. I've made pretty
certain of it this time, I fancy. Dandy Dick, indeed.
Why he hasn't a ghost of a chance."
Philip Baxter met young Alton as he walked down
the street on the way to his father's office, and
remembering what he had said to Mrs. Melrose the
night before, asked him to step into his office.
Will Alton liked Baxter. Most young men did
like "old Phil," as they called him.
"What have you got on the cards this morning?"
said Will, as he entered the office.
"Something concerning yourself," replied Baxter.
Alton looked surprised, and said laughing:
"What on earth can it be?"
"You know Mark Halberd, I believe," said Phil.
" I've known him for some time," replied Will;
" and his mother visits our house pretty frequently.
Dashed if I don't think she's setting her cap at the
pater. I don't like her well enough to envy the
prospect of her being a step-mother."
" I should think you don't," said Baxter. " If I
were you, Alton, I'd cut Mark Halberd's ac-
quaintance as soon as possible. He's a bad
companion for you, a very bad companion."
" Oh, he's all right," said Will; " there are plenty
worse than Halberd. Why don't you like him, Mr.
Baxter ? "
" I could tell you why I do not like him," said
Phil; " but it would be too long a story. Take the
BAD COMPANY.
233
advice of an older man than yourself, and cut his
acquaintance."
" But I must have some reason for doing so," said
Will; " and, besides, I have promised to have supper
with him at Paris House to-night."
" And with no one else ? " said Baxter.
"Yes, a couple of lady friends of his, I think he
said."
"And do you think Lilian Melrose would like
that?" said Baxter.
" No, I don't," said Alton, candidly; " but I've
promised to go, and go I must."
"Don't," said Phil. "Go down to Bellevue to-
night and see Mrs. Melrose; she has something
important to say to you, something you ought to
hear, and which concerns both you and Lilian."
" What can it be ? " said Alton.
" Go and hear for yourself. You know, Alton, I
am a friend of the Melroses and also of yours, and I
am advising you for the best, I assure you. Do not
go to Paris House to-night, and if Mark Halberd
askes you why you were not there, say you had more
important business elsewhere. Break with that man
as soon as you can, for he will do you no good."
Will Alton hesitated, but his better nature told him
Baxter was right, and after a few moments thought
he replied :
" I will see Mrs. Melrose to-night, and I will not join
Halberd at supper."
" Give me your hand on that, my lad. You have
acted right, and I will always be a friend both to you
and Lilian," said Phil.
BANKER AND BROKER.
" I know you will," said Alton. " I know I can
trust you, and that is why I accept your advice."
Philip Baxter sent a telegram to Mrs. Melrose,
stating Will would be with her at night, and concluded
with the words, "Tell him all."
Now he had made up his mind not to join Mark
Halberd that night, Will Alton felt considerably
relieved.
Although he counted Mark Halberd as a friend,
he had no particular liking for him, and knew
him to be, at times, guilty of rather shady trans-
actions.
He thought a good deal over Baxter's advice, and
he knew when the Broker did speak out he always
had good grounds for so doing.
As he rode to Bellevue he wondered what Mrs.
Melrose could have to say to him, and how it could
concern Lilian and himself.
When Flora Melrose received Baxter's wire she at
once made up her mind to tell Will all, and thus save
Lilian any trouble and annoyance.
" Mr. Baxter told me you had something you wished
to say to me," said Will.
"Yes, Willie, I have, and it is better I should tell
you now than you should hear it from others. Last
night Lilian told me for the first time she met Mrs.
Halberd at your father's house. I cannot allow Lilian
to visit any house where Mrs. Halberd is received,"
said Mrs. Melrose.
Will looked surprised as he said:
" Surely it is rather a harsh decision, Mrs. Melrose."
"Not under the circumstances, Willie."
BAD COMPANY.
235
Then she told him all. She told him of Cyril's
intimacy with Miriam Halberd, and how this woman
had insulted her through Lilian, who had innocently
conveyed her message to her. She could not tell him
Mark Halberd was Cyril's son, because she was un-
aware of that fact.
Will Alton was surprised at what he heard, as well
he might be.
He knew Mrs. Melrose would not have told him
the story had it not been for Lilian's sake.
He respected her for the step she had taken, and
he vowed his father should know' Mrs. Halberd's true
character, when he would certainly, so Will thought,
decline to receive her.
"You are quite right, Mrs. Melrose, Lilian should
never be contaminated by such a woman as Mrs.
Halberd. She must be a heartless wretch to use
Lilian for such a purpose, and to send you such a
message. I shall tell my father what her real character
is, and he will then decline to see her again. Lilian
shall never meet that woman in our house."
Mrs. Melrose had her doubts about Mr. Alton de-
clining to receive Miriam Halberd. She knew the
dangerous influence she could exercise over men.
" I hope your father will decline to see her, Willie.
She is a dangerous woman."
"I am sure he will," replied Will. " If he does not
I shall decline to remain under his roof. I will not
stay in a house where Lilian cannot see me."
" Has mother told you, Willie ? " said Lilian, when
she saw him after his interview with her mother.
" Yes, Lilian, and she is quite right," he said.
236 BANKER AND BROKER.
"And is Mrs. Halberd such a bad woman?" said
Lilian.
" Yes," said Will. " I cannot tell you anything
about her, Lilian, but if my father still continues to
receive her I shall not remain at his house."
" But you must not quarrel with your father on my
account," said Lilian ; " I would not have that happen
• for worlds."
" My father, if he has any respect either for you or
me, Lilian, will never see this woman again. When I
tell him what your mother has told me, I have no fear
of the result."
When Will Alton did not arrive at Paris House for
supper, Mark Halberd was by no means in an angelic
frame of mind, and his companions subjected him to
an unmerciful chaffing.
He vowed vengeance against Will for disappointing
him.
" It's that confounded girl has done it," he thought.
" No doubt he saw her after he made the arrangement
with me, and he had not the decency even to send an
excuse. I'll make him pay for this. He shall know
he cannot treat me in this off-hand manner. That
chit of a girl makes a regular fool of him."
When Will Alton reached home his father was
smoking his cigar, after coming from the club. His
son at once made an attack upon him in the direction
of Miriam Halberd.
Mr. Alton was by no means a sanctimonious
individual, and at first he felt inclined to resent what
he called Mrs. Melrose's squeamishness, but when
his son argued the point with him he was fain
BAD COMPANY.
237
to confess Mrs. Melrose could not have acted other-
wise.
"She's a devilish fine woman, Miriam Halberd,
and a clever woman, Will," he said, with evident re-
luctance at giving way.
" And she's a bad woman, father, I'm sure of that."
" If I give up the mother you must drop the son,"
said Mr. Alton. " I am sure he's no good, and a bad
companion for you."
"That's what Baxter told me this morning," said Will.
"Sensible man, Baxter," replied his father; "a man
I have a great respect for. Deuced keen in business,
but straight as a dart."
" I'll get out of Halberd's acquaintance as soon as
I can, without offending him," said Will.
" By Jove ! " said his father, as a thought struck him.
" What's the matter ? " said Will.
" Suppose Mark should be Cyril Melrose's son ? "
he said.
"Nonsense," said Will.
" Then whose son is he ? " asked his father.
"Blest if I know," said Will.
" Depend upon it, Mark Halberd is Cyril's son.
That's why the fellow hates all the family, I suppose."
" How do you know he hates the family, father ? "
" Because he said as much to me one night. A
nice, amiable young man that. Deuced fine woman
the mother, as I said before, but the son—pshaw !"
" From all I have heard to-day, I think we shall be
well rid of the pair of them," said Will. " Do you
know, father, I had an idea you were matrimonially
inclined again, and I am sure Mrs. Halberd has
238 BANKER AND BROKER.
designs on you. I should strongly have objected to
her as a step-mother."
Mr. Alton laughed outright.
" My dear boy," he said ; " Mrs. Halberd is not the
sort of woman a man of my experience marries," and
he emphasised the last word. " Oh dear, no. She's
all very well as an acquaintance. Your dear mother
was a good wife, Will, but by no means such an
angelic being as to tempt me to enter the bonds of
matrimony a second time.
Will was perfectly satisfied with his father's decision.
" Marry Miriam Halberd," thought Mr. Alton;
"that is a joke. She'll be a bit hard to get rid of,
but now I know her secret I can soon bring her to
reason. I'll bet—no, I never bet—that Mark is
Cyril's son. It will startle you when I let you see I
know that, my lady. Marry her. Well, that's about
the best thing I've heard for a long time. I wish
Will would get married. Nice girl, Lilian. D
fool Melrose was, to be sure. Believe old Baxter's
in love with Mrs. Melrose. They say he's more to
her than he ought to be. Lies, of course. Mrs.
Melrose is not a woman to forget herself, and old
Baxter's ideas of morality are pretty antiquated.
Gad, I wish mine were. I'm no saint, but by George
I must draw the line between Miriam Halberd and
Mrs. Melrose. Old Baxter might leave his money to
Lilian out of pure love for the mother. He's just the
sort of cuss to do that. Anyhow, Lilian's not a bad
match for Will. Marry Miriam Halberd. Oh lor,
that is a joke."
239
CHAPTER. XXIII.
a quarrel.
Mr. Alton kept his promise, and Miriam Halberd
no longer visited his house.
When he told her, or how he told it, perhaps it
will be better to pass over, for Mr. Alton was not a
man to mince matters, and he was not over particular
in his choice of language where women of Mrs.
Halberd's stamp were concerned.
Miriam Halberd had a stormy scene with her son
over the matter, and Mark felt deeply the degrada-
tion that had been put upon her.
He saw, as she had seen, that Mrs. Melrose had
been at the bottom of it all, and Mark knew it must
have been through her influence Will Alton had
persuaded his father to act in this manner.
He meant to have it out with Will Alton, and he
swore he would have his revenge.
Mr. Alton, senior, had been useful to Mark Halberd.
When Mark required money he was not over parti-
cular as to how he obtained it. He had bled
Mr. Alton freely on the strength of his partiality for
Miriam Halberd. Mark had implicit faith in his
mother, and although he knew her to be a schemer,
he never for one moment believed she would be
guilty of an unwomanly action. Fate had made her
what she was, and he cursed fate accordingly.
BANKER AND BROKER.
" Mrs. Melrose has done this, Mark," said his
mother, as she finished her conversation with him.
" I am sure she has, and that fool Will Alton has
been persuaded by her and Lilian to talk his father
over. I shall leave it to you, Mark, to repay the
insult they have put upon me."
" Be sure I will do that with interest, mother,"
said Mark. "There is no love lost between the
Melrose family and myself. As for Will Alton,
I only made his acquaintance because I thought he
might be useful to me. He shall soon find out what
it is to put an insult upon my mother."
" Don't be rash, Mark," she said. " There are
many safe ways of dealing with such people. Don't
drag my name into any squabble; I don't care to be
mixed up in such affairs/'
" I'll be careful, mother, but I shall make that
young cub smart for this. He insulted me by pro-
mising to come to supper the other night. He never
turned up, and did not even send a note to say why
he could not come. Depend upon it, I will be even
with him."
When a man is bent upon quarrelling with another
man, he can soon find a favourable opportunity.
Mark found his opportunity quicker than he antici-
pated. Will Alton had been " having a day of it,"
as he called it. He had met several boon com-
panions, members of the Hunt Club, and they had
discussed the merits of the various horses engaged
over sundry bottles of champagne. Consequently,
towards night Will had become lively, and after
winding up at the Royal he made his way to a
A QUARREL.
241
private club, where he knew he could finish up the
night in regulation form.
His friends accompanied him, and they were in
the midst of their hilarity when Mark Halberd
arrived.
" Hallo ! Mark," shouted Will, in a roystering tone.
" Have a glass along o' me," as the song says. " Fill
lip man, and drink to the prettiest girl in this city."
Mark took no notice of him, but went towards the
small bar and commenced to talk to the rather flash
young person dispensing the liquors.
Will followed him, and smacked him on the back,
saying:
" Come, Mark, no heeltaps. Drink to the prettiest
girl in Sydney."
"And who is that, pray ? " said Mark.
"Why, you're talking to her now, of course," said
Will.
" Oh," said Mark. " I thought perhaps you meant
Lilian Melrose. Here's to her health, anyway."
Before Mark could raise the glass to his lips Will
had dashed it out of his hand.
"What the devil do you mean by dragging Lilian's
name into this den ?" said Will, excitedly. " Do
you want to insult me ? "
"You're drunk," said Mark. "No one has insulted
you. Stand back you young fool. Don't meddle
with me."
"Come back, Will," cried his friends. "Let him
alone," for Will Alton looked desperate.
"I tell you he's insulted me," he shouted. "He
knew what I meant when I asked him to drink."
R
242 BANKER AND BROKER.
"And what if I did," said Mark. "I've had
enough of your nonsense. Why did you not come to
supper the other night, as you promised."
"Because I chose to stay away," said Will. "I'm
very glad I did not go. I was much better occupied,
as no doubt you have discovered ere this."
The excitement seemed to be sobering Will up,
and he had an idea Mark wished to pick a quarrel
with him.
"What do you mean ?" said Mark. "Be careful
what you say here."
" You were not very careful," said Will. " If you
want to know how I was better occupied I may as well
tell you I was learning a little of your family history,
and it was not very creditable, I can assure you, boys,"
he said, turning to the young men in the room.
Mark Halberd turned white with rage. He clutched
Will by the arm and hissed in his ear:
" Say a word against my mother and I'll not be
answerable for the consequences."
"Pshaw!" said Will; "I do not drag women's
names into such places as these, if you do. I'm more
of a man that that, at any rate. Let go my arm, will
you ? " he went on, as he pushed Mark away.
A row seemed imminent, and the others present
only made matters worse by trying to quiet them.
" If you came here to pick a quarrel with me," said
Will, " I'm ready for you."
"I have good cause to quarrel with you," said
Mark; " and you know why."
"You need not have made it your quarrel," said
Will.
A QUARREL.
243
" Oh, indeed/' said Mark. " Then let me tell you I
do choose to make it my quarrel."
" Please yourself," said Will. " It matters very
little to me. I've heard a good deal about you lately.
I know now why you sold me Dandy Dick."
" Indeed," said Mark.
"Yes, indeed," said Will; "because in your
ignorance of horseflesh you thought he was a screw,
and wished to get rid of him. Nice friendly action I
call that."
" Who said I thought he was a screw? " said Mark.
" He's a dashed sight too gopd for a fellow like you
to ride."
" Stop that," said Will. " I won't be bullied by
you."
"If you were not so infernally drunk I should feel
inclined to kick you out," said Mark.
" You'd better try it on. I'm more than a match
for you any day," said Will, as he went close up to him.
" Go to the devil," said Mark, " and don't bother
me. I haven't time to talk to you."
Mark Halberd turned to speak to the barmaid,
when Will pulled him round and said :
"Then you will have to find time to speak to me,
or I shall make you."
" Get out," said Mark, as he pushed him away.
Will Alton was none to steady on his legs, and,
stumbling over a chair, he fell on the floor. He was
quickly on his feet again, and, rushing at Mark,
struck out wildly.
Mark Halberd avoided the blow, and said to Will's
friends :
R 2
244 BANKER AND BROKER.
" For heaven's sake take him away. Can't you see
he's drunk—the beast."
Will Alton grew furious, and lost complete
control over his temper.
Three or four of his friends by main force got him
out of the room and endeavoured to pacify him.
" He called me a beast," shouted Will. " Let me
go. I tell you I will have it out with him."
" Don't be a fool, Will. Halberd's not worth
touching. I'm surprised you ever made a friend of
him. Take my tip it's a real good thing you've
broken with him."
" D him," said Will.
" By all means, if you like," said his friend ; " but
don't go near him."
" He'll think I'm afraid," said Will.
"Let him think. It will do him good to exercise
his brains a little."
Mark Halberd, seeing Will did not return, went out
of the club, and, as he did so, muttered :
" Let me have half a chance in that Steeplechase,
my boy, and I'll break your neck, or you shall break
mine, and I don't mean to die just yet."
Will Alton had a raging headache next morning.
After a night's carouse this was only to be expected.
Consequently, he felt decidedly out of sorts. He
fancied he had made a fool of himself the night
before. He hardly knew what had happened, but he ex-
perienced a vague sense of relief when he remembered
he had effectually broken with Mark Halberd.
" I'll go and see Baxter and tell him all about it,"
said Will, and cramming his hat on to his head, it
A QUARREL.
245
seemed to fit rather tight, he proceeded to the
Broker's office.
"You is it, Will?" said Phil. "You look rather shaky
this morning. Been making a night of it I suppose."
"Yes," said Will. "We had a bit of a spree, and,
by Jove, I've quarrelled with Mark Halberd."
" That's a good job," said Phil. " Nothing very
serious, I hope."
Then Will told him what he recollected of the
scene of the previous night.
BaxterHooked rather serious.
"I'm afraid you must have been rather rough on
Mark," he said.
" He was rough on me," said Will.
" He's a dangerous man," said Baxter. " But after
all it is quite as well you have broken with him."
"No doubt it will all turn out for the best," said
Will.
" By-the-by, when does this steeplechase come
off?" said Phil.
" Next week," replied Will.
" How's Dandy Dick ? "
"Fit as a fiddle. Never looked better. It's a
pretty stiff country to ride over, but Simms says the
horse will take all the fences if I ride him well."
"And can you ride him well?" asked Phil.
"Yes," said Will. "I certainly should not like to
try to-day, as I feel a bit shaky, but by next week I
shall be all right."
" I hope so," said Phil. " I wish the race was over. I
don't half like the idea of a parcel of hot-headed young
fellows like you scouring across that stiff course."
246
BANKER AND BROKER.
" Surely I can get over it if Mark Halberd can,"
said Will, "and he rides Prism. I must beat him, if
I beat no one else."
" Mark is not a bad horseman," said Baxter, " and
Prism is a cut above Dandy Dick."
" I don't think so," said Will. " Didn't he get
wild last night when I told him in his ignorance of
horseflesh he had sold me Dandy Dick as a screw." .
"He's hardly that," said Phil, "but I don't think
he is perfectly sound."
" Simms says he is, and he's trained him for the
race, and had him over the course."
"Then I hope Simms is right," said Baxter.
" You will bring Lilian to see the race ? " asked Will.
" I promised to do so," said Baxter. " f suppose she
will be disappointed if she does not see her hero win."
"I shall win if I can, you may depend upon that,"
said Will.
Will Alton little knew the depth of bitter animosity
he had stirred up against himself in Mark Halberd.
Had he done so he might have paused before he
determined to ride Dandy Dick in the Parramatta
Steeplechase.
Mark Halberd had a consultation with his trainer,
Ward, as to Prism's chance.
" He can win all right," said Ward, " but you'll
have to be careful with him. There's only one fence
I'm afraid of."
" And which is that ? " asked Mark.
"The last," said Ward. "It's a stiff bij: of timber
and the take-off is none too firm. If you'll take my
advice you will keep clear of the ruck at that fence.
A QUARREL.
247
A jostle might upset all calculations, and give you a
nasty fall into the bargain."
" Is it a very dangerous fence, then ? " asked Mark.
" To a tired horse it is rather dangerous. I'll bet
half of them left in come to grief at it," said Ward.
" If a horse was interfered with at that fence," said
Mark, " I suppose his rider would stand a chance of a
nasty fall ? "
" He would," said Ward.
" It might kill a fellow, I suppose?" asked Mark.
"I won't go as far as that," said Ward. "What
the deuce is he driving at?" he thought.
"You think Prism will beat Dandy Dick?" said Mark.
"Certain," replied Ward. "Now that's just the
sort of fence will polish Dandy Dick off. I should
not care to ride him over it after a three mile run."
" Wouldn't you," said Mark. " Well young Alton's
of a different opinion. He's bet me Dandy Dick
beats Prism."
" Wish I'd been about at the time," said Ward.
" He might have been fool enough to take us both on."
"What sort of a rider is Alton ?" asked Mark.
" Not bad," said Ward. " Plenty of pluck.
Rather too head-strong to make a first-rate steeple-
chase rider."
" Then he will 'probably be one of the lot you say
Will come to grief at the last fence," said Mark.
" He's just the man to do it," said Ward; "more
especially on a horse like Dandy Dick."
" That young man's been drawing me," thought
Ward, asyhe walked away. " Wonder what his game
is. He's a deep one is Mark Halberd."
248 BANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE STEEPLECHASE.
MORE excitement than usual had been manifested
over the Hunt Club Steeplechase.
Mark Halberd was a well-known man, and as he
had given all his friends to understand Prism was a
good thing for the steeplechase, they had invested
their money accordingly.
It was not often Mark vouchsafed gratuitous
information in this manner, and therefore several of
his friends fancied he had a real good thing on.
" Honour and glory" were the chief prizes to be
won, although the Master of the Hunt gave a hand-
some trophy to the rider of the winner.
On the morning of the eventful day several per-
sonages we have already become acquainted with
were present.
Lilian was eager to see her favourite, Will Alton,
win, and had she not embroidered his white sash with
her own fair hands ? Will's colours were crimson
and white, and very handsome he looked in them as
he came up to Lilian's side. She was on horseback,
accompanied by Rupert and Phil Baxter.
Miriam Halberd looked at the lively group with no
friendly eye, and she was speaking earnestly to Mark,
who could be distinguished by his bright green jacket
and black cap.
THE STEEPLECHASE. 249
" I do so hope you will win/' said Lilian to Will.
"I shall do my best," he replied, "and if I lose it
will be more my fault than Dandy Dick's, for I believe
he can get the course with ease."
" Don't be too rash with him," said Phil. " I should
watch Halberd closely, for he is on a good one, and
he knows the course pretty well."
" I shall give him a wide berth at the jumps if I can,"
said Will. " He would like to bring me to grief if he
could, I feel sure."
Rupert also wished him luck, but he seemed to
have a foreboding that no good would come of the
race. There were a dozen starters, and a pretty sight
they looked as they went down to the starting-post.
Lilian, Rupert, and Phil Baxter had taken up a
position on a hill, from which a good view of nearly
the whole course could be seen. At the foot of the
hill was the fence Ward had warned Mark about.
" I hope Will will save Dandy Dick a bit for that
fence," he said, pointing at it, " for it is rather an
awkward bit of timber."
" The worst of these races," said Rupert, " is the
riders are all so eager to get in the front rank and
keep there that they pump their horses out long
before the finish."
"That is what I'm afraid of," said Phil. "It is a
nasty place for a tired horse."
"But there is no danger, is there?" said Lilian,
anxiously.
" No, not much danger to a careful horseman,"
said Phil, " but when a man's blood is up he often
rides rashly."
250 BANKER AND BROKER.
They were off now, and there was no further time
for conjecture as to how Will would ride Dandy Dick
at this particular fence.
Through his powerful glasses Phil could see Will
Alton, on Dandy Dick, and Mark Halberd, on Prism,
were keeping close together.
He handed the glasses to Lilian, who looked
through them, and exclaimed :
" Oh, there's someone down already ! "
" Not our hero, I hope," laughed Phil. " If it is
he will be out of harm's way for the rest of the race,
and we can chaff him unmercifully for coming down
at the first fence."
"No, it is not Will. I can see his colours," she said.
By the time a couple of miles had been traversed,
only six horses were left in the race, Dandy Dick and
Prism being among them.
Already the race seemed to lie between this pair,
and the Master of the Hunt riding up, said, "Alton
is riding a good race, Miss Melrose. I hope he will
keep his head. If he does I think he will win."
On came the horses, and Dandy Dick jumped well.
At the fence into the field, where most of the
spectators had assembled, Mark Halberd was first
over on Prism. The horse never faltered, and
cleared the obstacle at a bound.
Then came Will Alton, and he sent Dandy Dick at
the fence at a fair pace. He, too, got safely over, and
there was now much excitement to see which of the
pair would win, for the remainder were all well beaten.
As they neared the last fence Will Alton kept a
watchful eye on Mark Halberd.
THE STEEPLECHASE. 251
Closer and closer they drew to the jump, and as
they neared it Miriam Halberd raised her glasses and
looked fixedly at the horsemen, at the same time
muttering :
" It's risky, but if he has the pluck he can easily
do it. How I should like to see Will Alton have a
bad fall."
A nice, amiable wish for a woman to utter, and
what was the risk she alluded to ?
An exclamation from Phil made Lilian start.
"What the deuce is Halberd up to? His horse
must be beaten. He's falling back. Dandy Dick
will win."
Either Mark Halberd's horse was beaten or he was
riding a queer race if he wanted to win. He had
taken a pull at Prism as they neared the fence, and
Will wondered why he had done so, as the horse was
going well, and it took Dandy Dick all his time to
keep with him. In a few strides Dandy Dick was
nearly level with Prism.
They were within a few strides of the jump now,
and Will pulled Dandy Dick together for a final effort.
The horse rose at the leap, but just as he did so
Prism swerved and cannoned against him.
As Mark Halberd's horse had stopped dead at the
fence he was all right, but not so Dandy Dick. The
result of the interference was that Will's horse
struck heavily, turned a complete somersault, and
came down with a sickening crash on to his rider.
Mark Halberd, as though nothing had happened, set
his fiorse at the fence again. Prism cleared it, and,
missing the fallen rider, cantered in an easy winner.
252 BANKER AND BROKER.
Whenhe had passed the judge Mark did notride back
to see what had happened to Will Alton, but rode up
to his mother and entered into conversation with her.
When Dandy Dick came down with such a crash
Lilian turned very pale. She dismounted and ran down
the hill to the fallen rider, Baxter accompanying her.
Poor Will Alton lay still as death. Dandy Dick had
luckily got up without kicking him, and had made off.
Will's white face lay upward, and he did not seem
to breathe. A thin streak of blood trickled from his
mouth, which made Phil Baxter fear this was a very
serious affair.
Lilian stooped down and raised Will's head toherlap.
" Speak to me, Will," she cried. " Oh, speak to me
if Only one word," and she kissed him fondly.
" Let him lie perfectly still, Lilian," said Phil
" Put my coat under his head."
"There, that's better. Here's Dr. Fairish; let him
see what he can do."
The doctor examined Will.
"No limbs broken, I fancy," he said, and looked
at Lilian's face, now almost as white as Will's.
" He's had a nasty fall. His chest is badly crushed.
We must remove him as quickly as possible."
"Is it very serious, doctor?" said Phil, drawing
him aside.
" Very," he said. " Do you not know what has
happened ? "
" No," said Phil. Then grasping the doctor's arm,
he said hoarsely, as he looked into his serious face,
" He's not " commenced Phil, and hardly dared
finish the sentence.
THE STEEPLECHASE. 253
"Dead; his neck's broken," said Dr. Fairish.
"Poor lad!"
A wild piercing shriek, and turning round they
saw Lilian had stolen upon them unawares, and
heard what had been said.
She had seen Phil draw the doctor on one side,
and wishing to know the worst, had gone within
hearing distance.
When she heard the awful truth, her reason sud-
denly seemed to leave her.
She uttered a succession of piercing, heart-rending
cries, and then rushed to the dead body of poor Alton.
She flung herself upon him, and then fainted away.
" If she had not fainted she would have gone mad,"
said Dr. Fairish. " Poor girl; what an awful blow
for her."
It was a sad sight. The people had crowded
round, and the news spread rapidly.
As Phil looked at the manly form now still in
death, he felt inexpressibly sad.
Then he looked round, and saw Mark Halberd was
not present. Quick as lightning Phil thought of what
poor Will had said about his quarrel with Mark.
Putting two and two together in his methodical way he
came to the conclusion that Mark Halberd had
deliberately contrived to bring about this accident.
It would not do to say so, of course, but once Phil got
this idea into his head he would bottom the whole
business before he gave it up.
He had not much time to think now, for he must
see the body of the unfortunate rider removed, and
send a warning wire to Mr. Alton and Mrs. Melrose.
254 BANKER AND BROKER.
The unfortunate Will's body was gently carried to
a carriage, and taken straight home by road, Rupert
and Dr. Fairish accompanying it, while Phil Baxter
remained to look after Lilian.
When she came to her senses she hardly realised
what had happened, but when the full horror of the
situation dawned upon her, she moaned bitterly, and
swayed herself to and fro in the most piteous manner.
" Lilian, my girl, we must go home to your mother,"
said Phil, gently. Who would ever have thought
" that old bear, Baxter," could speak as softly as a
woman. " Be a brave girl. It is a terrible trial for
you, Lilian. I wish I could bear some of this great
sorrow for you."
"Dead, dead," she moaned. "Oh, Mr. Baxter,
why did he ever ride ? Why should he die ? It is
too, too cruel. I shall never be happy any more."
" Come, Lilian, my girl," he said, and gently took
her hand.
How different it was all a few short hours before.
Then Will was alive, and bright, and happy, and oh!
so handsome, as he bade Lilian adieu before he got
up on Dandy Dick. Now he was lying stiff and cold,
with the life gone out of him. Could she ever forget
that fatal scene ? N ever.
Lilian buried her face in her hands, and sobbed as
though her heart would break.
Phil let her cry "without a word. He thought it
would do her good, and relieve her feelings.
She had been silent for some minutes, when she
suddenly looked at Phil with a strange expression in
her face, and said:
THE STEEPLECHASE. 255
" Mark Halberd killed Will. I know he did. He
hated him. He rode his horse against Dandy Dick
on purpose."
Phil started. The words were the very echo of his
own thoughts.
"You must not say that, Lilian," he said. "It
must have been an accident. Mark Halberd would
never be such a scoundrel."
"You know you believe it is true," said Lilian.
" I can tell it by your face, your manner, the very
tone of your voice. Oh, Mr. Baxter, trust me. Do
you believe this was an accident, a pure accident?"
" Lilian, I will trust you if you promise to keep it
secret. Say one word and you will spoil all," he said.
" I will not say a word to my mother until you tell
me. I swear it," she said, solemnly.
"Then, Lilian, I will trust you. I do not believe it
was a pure accident."
"I knew it," she said. "I knew it. I will never
rest until my poor Will is avenged."
" Leave, all to me, Lilian. If Mark Halberd wil-
fully caused Will's death through this accident he
shall be made to pay the penalty in full."
Lilian placed her hand in Phil's and said :
" Thank you. I know you always act for the best.
How good you have always been to us. Poor father,
he will be sorry when he hears of this, and he has
enough misery to bear now."
Flora Melrose was filled with grief when the news
of poor Will's death reached her.
She comforted Lilian as much as she could, and
under her mother's soothing influence she became
256 BANKER AND BROKER.
calmer. But it was a fearful blow to one so young
and light-hearted as Lilian Melrose.
The evening papers had a lengthy account of the
fatal accident, and strong comments were made on
Mark Halberd's heartless conduct in riding away
from the course and not inquiring the nature of the
dead man's injuries. "Brutal" was the word one
writer applied to his conduct, and Mark only smiled
as he read it.
One paragraph, however, caused him uneasiness.
It read as follows :
"An inquest will be held to-morrow, and we shall
then get at the true facts of this painful case. We
hear on the best authority that Mr. Mark Halberd had
a serious quarrel with the deceased a few days ago.
It will be interesting to hear what explanation he
gives of the obvious interference of his mount with
Dandy Dick just before the horse took the fatal leap."
" Curse 'em," muttered Mark. " That quarrel
might turn out nasty."
When Ward saw the account of the accident he
whistled softly and said :
" So that is what you were pumping me for, eh,
Mr. Mark? I think you asked me if that fence might
kill a fellow if his horse blundered. I never thought
you were such a cursed scoundrel as all this proves.
I reckon you have overshot the mark this time. My
evidence would not do you much good, I fancy. We
shall have to come to some arrangement about this.
Let me see, when's the inquest ? To-morrow. That's
early. I must lose no time. Mark Halberd you're in
a fix, and a precious nasty fix, too."
257
CHAPTER XXV.
THE INQUEST.
A PRELIMINARY examination before the coroner had
been held to inquire into the particulars of the fatal
accident to William Alton, and had been adjourned
for a week on account of the absence of Mark
Halberd, who had mysteriously disappeared. No one
knew where Mark had gone, and no one had seen him.
Why had he gone ? This was the question asked on
every side.
Mark Halberd's horse had swerved against Will
Alton's, and undoubtedly brought about the catas-
trophe in the steeplechase.
Mark's conduct was severely commented upon, and
there was a disposition to prejudge him, and not
favourably. His callousness at the time of the action
was commented upon freely, and it was voted on all
sides a bad sign that Mark had not been present at
the inquest.
His mother said she had no idea where he was,
and she exhibited the most supreme indifference to
the matter, and thought it was absurd that Mark should
be required to give evidence at all, when all who were
present must have seen it was a pure accident.
Mark Halberd, however, turned up as mysteriously
as he had disappeared, and was surprised, or professed
to be so, that his presence had been deemed of
importance.
S
258 BANKER AND BROKER.
When the inquest was resumed he was present,
and the coroner commented severely upon his
absence.
" How did I know you would require me as a wit-
ness, " said Mark, taking a high-handed view of the
subject.
"You had better speak more respectfully;" said the
coroner; "you were the cause of the accident, or,
rather, your horse was, and your own common sense
might have told you your evidence would be of im-
portance."
" I don't see how I can throw much fresh light on
the subject," said Mark.
"We shall see about that," replied the coroner, and
he proceeded to examine Mark severely.
" Please tell us exactly how the accident happened,"
said the coroner.
"I was going at the last fence," said Mark, "and
was slightly ahead of Alton on Dandy Dick. Prism,
the horse I was riding, seemed to slacken his pace, and
I fancied he was going to funk the jump. I took him
well in hand with the intention of getting him over
somehow. As I did so I dug the spurs in and he
swerved. Young Alton's horse was close alongside
me, and took off at the fence as Prism swerved. My
horse bumped against Dandy Dick, and probably
made him jump short. The next thing I saw was
Dandy Dick going head over heels and Alton down
all of a heap."
" You jumped the fence after him," said the coroner.
" Yes," replied Mark, " and got safely over."
" And your horse showed no signs of funking, as
you call it, at this attempt ? "
THE INQUEST.
259
" No," said Mark. " He probably thought after
Dandy Dick's exhibition he had better get over some-
how "
" Why did you not pull up, and see what had
happened to the deceased," said the coroner. " Do you
not think that would have been a proper thing for you
to do under the circumstances ? "
" I did not know the fall was such a bad one," said
Mark. " It did not look anything out of the way, and,
besides, I was anxious to win the race, and a man is
apt to forget a spill of this kind in his hurry to get
first past the winning post."
" But you must have seen it was a serious accident
after you had won the race," said the coroner.
" I was so excited at winning that I never thought
anything more about it," said Mark. " I spoke to my
mother, and then rode into Parramatta. I never knew
it had been a fatal accident until 1 saw it in the even-
ing papers."
"We have already heard there was some quarrel
between yourself and Mr. Alton shortly before the
race."
"We had a slight altercation," said Mark, "but it
was nothing serious, a mere trifle, in fact. Alton was
rather top-heavy at the time, and I took very little
notice of what he said."
Mark saw Ward was not present, and felt secure
on that head. He had not been idle during the week
he could not be found, and Ward had been brought
to hear reason and without any ready cash down.
Mark fancied he .had easily got rid of Ward, but he
hardly knew the trainer, or he would not have felt
very comfortable.
S 2
260 BANKER AND BROKER.
A juryman asked Mark if he did not think it
strange his horse should refuse the fence the first
time, and then quietly jump it directly afterwards.
" Not at all," said Mark; " a horse will often refuse
a fence at the first attempt, and then go over easily
when set at it again."
Phil Baxter, who was present, handed the coroner
a paper, on which several questions were written, and
desired that he would question the witness on those
points.
Mark knew Baxter was no friend of his, and he
was rather uneasy. The first question did not tend
to relieve him.
" You know Alec Ward, the trainer, I believe ? "
"Yes," said Mark, wondering what was in the
wind now.
"Your horse, Prism, was trained by him, I believe?"
" He was," said Mark.
"Had you any conversation with Ward about this
steeplechase ? "
"We had a casual conversation as to the chances
of the various horses," said Mark.
" Nothing more ? " asked the coroner.
" Not that I can remember," said Mark.
" Did you sell Dandy Dick to young Alton ? "
" I did," said Mark.
" Why did you sell him ? "
" Because I had Prism, and knew he was the better
horse, and I did not want them both."
" Did the deceased ever tell you that you sold him
Dandy Dick because you thought he was a screw ?"
" I believe he did say something of the kind, but,
as he was tight, I took very little notice of him."
THE INQUEST.
261
"You are quite sure you merely talked over the
chances of the horses with Ward, nothing more?"
" That was all I can remember."
"Nothing was said about the nature of the
fences?"
Mark felt things were becoming hot. He com.-
menced to have an idea that Ward had sold him to
that rat of a Baxter.
" I do not think the fences were mentioned," said
Mark. " I may have asked Ward which fence was the
stiffest, but I do not recollect doing so."
"Was anything said about the last fence'where the
accident took place ? " asked the coroner.
"Now I come to think of it, I believe there was,
and Ward said it was a nasty fence for a tired horse,
or something of the kind."
" Is that all ? "
"Yes ; all I can recollect," said Mark.
" Call Alec Ward," said the coroner.
Mark gave a slight start, and looked uneasily
around. He had not seen Ward present, but he had
forgotten that the witnesses were not allowed in
court until they gave their evidence.
Ward came into the room, and looked scowlingly
at Mark. It was evident to that individual Ward had
been "got at," as he put it, and he felt anxious as to
what he would say.
Ward gave his evidence as to the training of
Prism, and as to the merits of that horse and Dandy
Dick.
"You had a conversation with Mr. Halberd shortly
before the steeplechase ? " asked the coroner.
" I had," said Ward.
262 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Tell us as near as you can what was said."
" Well, he asked me about the nature of the fences,"
said Ward. " I fancied Prism's chance, and I told
him there was only one fence I was afraid of, and that
was the last. I said the take off was bad, and he had
better keep clear of the ruck, as a jostle might bring
him down. I think he asked me if it was a very
dangerous fence, and I said it was to a tired
horse. You see I was anxious for the horse I had
trained to win, and so wanted him to be on his
guard."
" Was that all that was said ? "
" Nearly. Oh, I think he asked me if a horse was
interfered with at that fence if the rider would stand
a chance of a nasty fall."
This statement made the jury prick up their ears
and look serious. The case was becoming interest-
ing.
"What did you say ? "
" I said it would give a fellow a nasty fall."
" Did Mr. Halberd say anything else ? "
" Yes," said Ward.
" What was it ? "
" Well, as things have turned out, I would rather
not say. It might create a wrong impression, and I
am sure Mr. Halberd meant no harm."
" You must tell us what he said," replied the
coroner. " It is important you should do so."
" He asked me if a horse was interfered with at
this fence if it might not kill the rider."
There was quite a sensation at this answer, and all
eyes were turned on Mark, who started up from his
seat and said :
THE INQUEST.
263
" That's a lie. I never asked you anything of the
kind."
" Be quiet," said the coroner.
" I shall not be quiet," said Mark. " The fellow is
telling a string of lies about me."
" If you do not sit down and hold your tongue I
shall have to order you out of the room," said the
coroner.
Mark sat down under protest and looked glum and
fierce.
" You are quite sure Mr. Halberd asked you if a
horse interfered with at that fence might kill his
rider?"
"Yes, quite sure. I thought he was thinking
about himself in case his horse was interfered
with."
" What sort of a fencer was Dandy Dick ? "
" A real good one. He is a bit slow, but I never
saw a safer horse over timber. Prism can beat him
cn the flat, but does not fence so sure."
" You know this horse Prism well ? "
"I do," said Ward.
" Is he the sort of horse you would expect to baulk
at a fence, or ' funk ' it, as Mr. Halberd put it? "
"No," said Ward. "He's any amount of pluck.
More pluck than his riders, sometimes."
" Did you think it curious Mr. Halberd should
ask you these questions ? "
" Not at all. I fancied he was a bit anxious about
this last fence, but that was not unusual. Some of
these gentlemen riders are precious careful of their
own necks."
" Was the deceased a good rider ? "
264 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Very fair for such a young fellow who had not
had too much practise. He was a better horseman
than Mr. Halberd."
"Was Dandy Dick a quiet horse ? "
"Very. But he had plenty of pluck as well."
" Would a horse swerving on to him cause him to
fall?"
" In nine cases out of ten it would bring any horse
down at a fence like that," said Ward.
" Would it be difficult to say whether one horse was
deliberately or accidentally pulled on to another ? "
"To a practical eye it would not be so difficult,
but a casual observer would not be able to see the
difference."
" Did you see this race ? "
" I did not," said Ward.
Several witnesses who saw the accident were
called, and none of them could throw any fresh light
on the subject.
The jury returned a verdict that " the deceased,
William Alton, came by his death accidentally while
riding in the Hunt Club Steeplechase."
Mark Halberd felt relieved when he heard it, and
he meant to get even with Ward for telling what he
o o
knew was the truth. Although there was no direct
evidence against Mark Halberd, the questions he had
put to Ward, following as they did on his quarrel with
Will Alton, had a very suspicious look.
He soon found out the majority of people gave him
the cold shoulder, and he often heard remarks reflect-
ing upon the part he had played in Alton's death.
The newspapers commented freely upon the
evidence given at the inquest, and one journal spoke
THE INQUEST.
265
out boldly and said further action ought to be taken
in the matter.
Phil Baxter had no doubt in his own mind after the
conversation he had privately with Ward, and after
hearing the evidence, that Mark Halberd had deliber-
ately laid himself out to cause the accident.
He was powerless to act in the matter, but he gave
Mark Halberd a piece of his mind when he met him
shortly afterwards.
Lilian Melrose, poor girl, was almost heart-broken
at the great grief that had come into her bright
young life. She knew Mark Halberd had killed her
Will, and she wished him brought to justice.
" He is a murderer," she said to Phil Baxter;
"and he should be treated as such."
" He may be all you say he is, Lilian, but the law
cannot touch him. There is not sufficient evidence
for a jury to convict upon. I told him what I thought,
straight enough. You may rest assured he will come
to a bad end."
Poor Lilian. The joy seemed to have gone out
of her life, and to have been buried in the grave with
her dead love.
He lay buried in Waverley Cemetery, a picturesque
spot, and Lilian was often there, her dainty hands
spreading choice flowers on her lover's grave.
As she looked on the open sea with its never
ceasing movements, its endless unrest, she thought
of the many happy hours they had spent together
on the wide waste of waters, when tjhe " Flora's" white
sails filled with the breeze, and the yacht sped gaily
along. It was a heavy blow for Lilian, but she was
young, and time might heal the wound.
266 DANKER AND BROKER.
CHAPTER XXVI.
cyril gets another chance.
It is much easier to get into trouble than to get
out of it, as Cyril Melrose discovered to his bitter cost.
Mainly through Baxter's persuasion, peace had been
once more restored between Cyril and his wife. The
death of Will Alton and the consequent trouble which
had fallen upon Lilian caused them once more to have
a great sympathy in common.
Young Alton's death appeared to Cyril like another
misfortune consequent upon his misdeeds.
The fact was Cyril Melrose's mental and bodily
condition had been going from bad to worse, and his
medical attendant presaged he would not be long for
this world, unless he could obtain his freedom.
A man of money, such as Baxter, has always power-
ful friends. He knew several members of Parliament
well, and had occasionally rendered the Minister of
Mines valuable service. Through the Minister of
Mines Phil approached the Minister of Justice.
He went to see that august personage, armed with
no end of medical testimony as to the necessity of
Cyril's immediate release. He pleaded his friend's
cause eloquently, although it cost him an effort after
what had recently happened between them. Baxter
was acting generously; few men would have been
capable of exercising such generosity. He had but
one object in view—the happiness of Flora Melrose,
and now that a satisfactory explanation had taken
CYRIL GETS ANOTHER CHANCE. 267
place between her and Cyril, she longed once more
for his release.
There was, of course, considerable delay in
granting Baxter's request for the release of Cyril
Melrose. At last he received the welcome intelligence
that, acting on the advice of the medical men, and
considering the time he had been in prison, the
Minister had seen fit to order Cyril's release from
that day week.
When Phil Baxter received the news he thought he
would keep it to himself and give Flora Melrose a
surprise by unexpectedly taking Cyril direct to
Bellevue. -He informed Rupert what had happened,
and his joy knew no bounds.
When Cyril heard the order for his release read
out, he could hardly believe it, and he was overcome
with joy. Then he thought how he had doubted
Baxter, and how Phil had returned good for evil.
How slowly the last week in his prison passed.
He counted the hours as they were chimed by the
prison clock. He had often heard it chime, and to
the weary prisoner there is something terribly
monotonous in the dull striking of that great clock.
Phil Baxter went to Darlinghurst the morning
Cyril was to be released, and had a cab ready outside
to drive him straight to Bellevue.
As Cyril heard the huge gate clang behind him and
found himself in the street once more a free man, he
was almost overcome with the sudden revulsion of
feeling.
He had been confined for three years, three long
weary years that seemed like a lifetime. And now
he was free from that hated prison. He looked back
268 BANKER AND BROKER.
at the massive stone walls scarred with many a mark
made by unhappy convicts in by-gone days, and
shuddered. There was no escape for a man once he
entered there.
He held out his hand to Baxter, and said with a
tremor in his voice :
"Will you shake hands with me again now I am
free, Phil ? You have indeed been a true friend. I
must have been mad to have wronged you with my
cruel and unjust suspicions."
Phil Baxter shook him heartily by the hand and said:
" All that is forgotten, Cyril. Now you are once
more at liberty, take care how you use it."
" I will, Phil. I doubt if I shall ever get another
chance to redeem my character."
"In another place you may," said Phil; "but not
here. Take my advice, leave the colonies and goto
England. You will soon find your past scrape has
been forgotten, and if you keep straight there is yet
a happy life before you."
How familiar all the scene was to Cyril. He was
once more in Sydney streets, amid the bustle of
business. It was so strange after three years of
comparative silence. Occasionally he caught sight
of an old acquaintance he had known in his days
of prosperity. There went a man he had done many
a good turn to at the bank. Probably he would not
acknowledge him now.
Then he thought of the stain on his name, and he
vowed if ever he had the chance he would do what
he could to wipe it away.
"You are in deep thought, Cyril. What is it?"
said Baxter.
CYRIL GETS ANOTHER CHANCE. 269
" Ruminating over my past follies," said Cyril.
"Wondering if my old friends will give me the cold
shoulder, and making good resolutions for the future."
" Whatever other people may do," said Phil, " be
sure I shall remain a friend. It will be a good thing
for you, Melrose, if you never see the majority of
your so-called friends again."
"You are right, Phil. Out of all the people I
knew I had very few friends, not one like you."
" Hathrop has remained a firm friend of yours,"
said Baxter. " He will be able to help you in the
future. You were always a favourite of his."
"It is too much to expect, Phil. How can he ever
trust me again ? "
"He will," said Phil. " I feel sure of it, and, if he
does, mind you prove worthy of his confidence."
" I will, so help me heaven," said Cyril, earnestly.
As they neared Bellevue Cyril became agitated;
and, as he caught sight of the dear old home where
he had spent so many happy years, tears of bitter
grief came into his eyes as he remembered what he
had lost.
"I will go in first," said Phil. "You remain in the
cab a few moments."
Baxter went into the house, and Flora Melrose
wondered why he had come at that hour. Perhaps
he had some definite news as to when Cyril would be
released.
"You are an early visitor, Mr. Baxter," she said.
"Do you bring good news or bad?"
"Good," said Phil. "The best of news."
"Is Cyril to be released?" she asked, anxiously.
" He is," said Phil.
270 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Thank God," said Flora. " When is he to be
released ? " she asked.
"Very soon," said Phil. "Almost immediately."
He looked at her with a smile full of meaning.
"He is not released now?" she said, as she placed
her hand on his arm.
Cyril had been too impatient to sit calmly in the
cab, and he had entered the house.
He heard Flora's last words, and answered her
question himself.
"Yes, he is released, Flora. Your unworthy hus-
band is once more a free man. Can you forgive him ? "
Flora sprang into his open arms with a cry of joy,
and looked lovingly into his face. In that moment
of re-union the past was forgotten, blotted out. She
saw only the Cyril of her younger days, the man who
had won her heart when she was almost a girl.
Philip Baxter saw her face as she looked. into
Cyril's. He turned away and heaved a bitter sigh.
He was forgotten already. He was nothing to her.
He could never be anything to her, therefore what
did it matter? But it was none the less hard for him
to bear. He had restored Cyril to her arms. He had
re-united husband and wife. He had done his duty,
and with that he must rest contented. He went out
on to the lawn, and left Cyril and his wife inside.
In their new-found happiness, Phil had well nigh
slipped their memory.
"Where's Phil?" said Cyril, looking up. "Phil,
where are you ? "
"Here I am," said Baxter, entering the room. " I
was enjoying the beauties of nature. Two's com-
pany, you know."
CYRIL GETS ANOTHER CHANCE. 271
" And in your case three makes the exception to
the rule/' said Flora, with a smile.
That night was one of the happiest the household
at Bellevue had spent for three weary years.
Lilian's sorrow did not prevent her rejoicing at her
father's return, and Rupert was brimful of happiness,
for Mr. Hathrop had given him a hint as to what he
should do for Cyril, and that same morning Mary
Hathrop had been allowed to walk without the aid of
crutches, and was pronounced on the high road to
complete recovery.
Phil Baxter was an honoured guest, and all knew
how much they owed him.
As Baxter watched Lilian he thought he had never
seen her look so beautiful. She reminded him of her
mother in her younger days, when Phil had hoped to
make Flora his wife, and Cyril had not come upon
the scene.
"Father," said Rupert, "I have some good news
for you."
"Good news for me," said Cyril. "What good
news can there possibly be for me ? "
" Mr. Hathrop spoke to me to-day about you."
"Yes," said Cyril, his interest now thoroughly
aroused ; " what did he say ? "
" More than we could have expected," said Rupert.
" He is a good man, father, and he is very partial
to you."
"And you also, Rupert," said his mother; "but
what did he say about your father ? "
" He 'told me he thought he could obtain father a
good position in England, and if he left the colony at
once he would do all he could for him."
272 BANKER AND BROKER.
" He's a brick," said Baxter. " I told you I felt
certain he would stand by you, Cyril."
" It is more than I ought to expect, much more,"
said Cyril. " It will be hard to leave this dear old
spot now I am once more restored to it. I must see
Mr. Hathrop and hear what he has to say."
" He said he would come over to-morrow," said
Rupert. " He thinks the sooner the matter is
settled, one way or another, the better."
" Of course you will accept whatever is offered
you ? " said Flora.
" You may be sure of that," said Cyril. " I shall be
only too glad to get another chance."
When Mr. Hathrop saw Cyril the next day he gave
him some words of friendly advice.
" I believe you were more sinned against than
sinning, Cyril," he said. " You got in with a bad set.
The Bank has not suffered much, because the securi-
ties we held in your name realised a large sum. Had
you left betting alone you would have been all right
in the end. We have not forgotten it is in a great
measure due to you that our Bank holds its present
high position. We never shall forget that. You
acted foolishly, nay, dishonestly, in the past, but you
have suffered severely. I can see by your changed
looks that you are not the same man. I trust the
lesson you have learnt has done you good."
"It has, indeed," said Cyril. "You cannot know
how bitterly I regret the past."
" Regrets and repentance often come too late,
unfortunately," said Mr. Hathrop. " I feel you
can be trusted again, and we have decided to
trust you. I had a difficult task to overcome the
CYRIL GETS ANOTHER CHANCE. 273
scruples of my colleagues, but I succeeded. I have
given my personal guarantee for your honesty, Cyril.
Mind it is not misplaced."
" Mr. Hathrop, you overwhelm me with your
kindness. I will make no rash promises, but I
solemnly assure you I will do all I can to make up for
the past, and to prove your confidence is not mis-
placed."
We have, since you left the Bank, opened an
important branch in London. We propose to
give you a chance there as manager of the City
Branch, and if you show our confidence has not been
misplaced, you may, in time, find yourself the general
manager of all our business in England."
Mr. Hathrop knew his man. He felt if he put
Cyril Melrose on his trial in an important position he
would come well out of the ordeal.
Cyril opened his eyes with amazement. Could he
be dreaming ? He was only just out of prison for a
grave offence, and he was actually offered an appoint-
ment which meant a large salary and an important
position in the Bank he had so scandalously wronged.
"And you have given your personal guarantee for
me in such a position ? " said Cyril.
" I have," quietly said Mr. Hathrop. "You know
what that means ? "
Cyril did, and he was overwhelmed with a great
sense of shame for his past conduct.
" Rupert will soon hold an important position in
the Bank here," said Mr. Hathrop. "Mary is, I am
glad to say, recovering her strength. Their marriage
depends upon you."
" Upon me," said Cyril.
T
274 BANKER AND BROKER.
" Yes; if you prove worthy of the confidence placed
in you a second time, Rupert will marry Mary. I
could never give her to the son of a man twice dis-
graced."
" And you never shall, Mr. Hathrop. I am, indeed,
as you say, a changed man, not merely in appear-
ance, but in heart and mind. I will leave for London
as quickly as possible, when I have arranged my
affairs."
" Leave all your affairs in Mr. Baxter's hands and
go at once," said Mr. Hathrop.
"As you wish," said Cyril. " Phil Baxter has been
a good friend, and I can leave all to him."
And so it was arranged for Cyril, his wife, and
Lilian to leave by the mail steamer at as early a date
as possible.
" I've a good mind to go with you," said Phil.
" It's a deuce of a time since I saw old England."
"Come by all means," said Cyril. " We shall feel
our little circle is incomplete without you."
" Indeed we shall," echoed Mrs. Melrose and
Lilian.
Rupert was to remain at Sydney, and although he
felt grieved at the thought of parting, he knew he
could not leave Mary Hathrop, nor had he any desire
to do so.
" I've given him another chance," said Mr. Hath-
rop, alluding to Cyril, " and I feel sure he will show
I was right. He's the best man we ever had, despite
his faults. He will build that London business up
splendidly. How he must have suffered."
275
CHAPTER XXVII.
ward meets mark halberd.
Ever since Ward gave his evidence at the inquest
Mark Halberd vowed he would be even with him.
He felt the effects of Ward's testimony in more
ways than one. It had been mainly upon his conver-
sation with Ward the public condemned Mark for the
hand it was generally felt he had in young Alton's
death.
He was socially ostracised, and he knew it, and,
moreover, his mother was not received with such
cordiality as formerly, and possibly Mr. Alton had
beernresponsible for this.
Mr. Alton had naturally been much distressed at
his son's untimely end. He blamed Mark Halberd,
and he blamed Miriam Halberd; in fact he thought
she was at the bottom of the affair. It was probably
an act of revenge on her part, through her son, on
account of the hand Will had taken against her.
Mark put all his troubles down to one source, and
that was Ward's evidence.
He had ^argued the matter with his mother, and,
although she had combatted the idea, Mark stuck
firmly to the notion he had first taken.
Mark knew Ward was in the habit of visiting Loo
Key's gambling deji, and, determined to have it out
with him, he proceeded to the Chinaman's abode.
When he arrived there he asked for Ward, and Loo
Key, all smiles and blandishments, said the trainer
t 2
276 BANKER AND BROKER.
would be in later on. Would Mr. Halberd wait in
the private office ?
Mark said he would do so, and followed Loo Key
into a smoking-room fitted up in luxuriant style, and
filled with peculiar ornaments of native Chinese
make.
Mark had been there before, and noticed that the
room was even more elaborately furnished than on
former occasions.
" I see you've been adding to your already large
stock of curiosities," said Mark. " One would
imagine by the look of some of the furniture you
were about to convert this into a ladies' boudoir."
" And suppose I am," said Loo Key, with a grin ;
" what of that ? "
" Oh, nothing. No doubt you have plenty of young
ladies who would like these quarters."
" I am going to be married," said Loo Key.
"Nonsense," said Mark. "Who the devil would
have you ? " he was about to add, but said : " Who is
the charmer ? "
" An English girl, an Australian beauty," said Loo
Key, smacking his lips.
" Indeed," said Mark. " She must be hard up," he
thought.
" You know her," said Loo Key.
" Eh!" said Mark, surprised, and his curiosity
aroused. " That is highly improbable."
"It's true all the same," said Loo Key. "I'm
going to marry Ellen Ward."
" Ward's daughter," said Mark.
" The same," said Loo Key.
" And what does she say ? " asked Mark.
WARD MEETS MARK HALBERD. 277
"The young lady is modest, but she is willing to
accept me. She will grow to like me in time. It will
be better for her to do so," said Loo Key, with a scowl.
"What a happy bridegroom you look," laughed
Mark.
"So the fair one is willing, eh? Well, I don't
admire her taste."
" I am rich," said Loo Key. " I can give her more
pleasures than you beggarly Christians."
" She ought to have some compensation," said
Mark. " I suppose that blackguard, Ward, has sold
her to you. He's worse than I thought he was, the
inhuman beast."
"Did you come here to insult me?" growled Loo Key.
" Oh, dear no," said Mark. " I came here to see
your future father-in-law. Come, don't be a fool, Key,
tell me how you came to strike the bargain with Ward."
" He owed me money, and could not pay. I have
often seen his daughter at home, and I like her. She
did not seem to avoid me, and I can make her happy,
so we struck a bargain. I let him off his debts—he
gave me his daughter, with her consent."
"And she has consented," said Mark.
"Yes," said Loo Key.
" Poor girl," said Mark.
" Curse you," said Loo Key. " Don't pity her, I tell
you I can make her happier, can give her a thousand
times more than you ever could, Mark Halberd."
" So you can, Loo," said Ward, who had evidently
heard a portion of the conversation, and now entered
the room. Turning to Mark, he said, savagely:
"What business of yours is it to interfere between
me and my girl. It's like your d impertinence."
278 BANKER AND BROKER.
" I merely suggested what a fortunate young lady
she was, and how worthy a husband she had secured,"
said Mark, with a sneer.
"None of your humbug with me," said Ward. "I
know what you are, Mark Halberd. You are a thousand
times lower than Loo Key, for you are a murderer."
"Stop that game," said Mark; "don't call me
names or it will be the worse for you. Your
scoundrelly lies at that inquest have done me
enough harm already."
"Lies," said Ward. "Well, I like that. Upon my
word it's real good. You know it's the truth, and
most people believe it. If that coroner had not been
such an antiquated old fossil you would have been
lodged in gaol the same night."
" Mind I don't send you there before I have done
with you," said Mark.
"No quarrelling here," said Loo Key.
" I'm not going to quarrel," said Ward. " He isn't
worth the trouble. I hate a coward; if ever there
was one he is."
" Am I," said Mark. " Take that and see if I am,"
and raising a heavy stick he held in his hand, he
struck Ward a violent blow between the eyes.
Loo Key went to the rescue, for Ward had fallen
like a log and lay on the floor insensible.
" That was a cowardly thing to do, anyway," said
Loo Key.
"Served him right," said Mark. "You know what
he is."
" I know he's not what you call a clean potato,"
said Loo Key, "but that is no reason you should have
struck him like that."
WARD MEETS MARK HALBERD. 279
" Let me have a look at him," said Maik. "He's
all right. A nice pair of black eyes will be all that
will trouble him. Take care of your father-in-law,
Loo, I cannot wait until he recovers. I have more
important business on hand."
" Never come into my place again," said Loo Key,
as Mark went out.
Loo Key lifted Ward on to the sofa, and proceeded
to pour brandy down his throat.
When Ward recovered his senses he hardly knew
what had happened. His head swam round and he
could only see faintly.
"What did he strike me with?" said Ward, after
a time.
"A heavy stick, the cowardly brute," said Loo
Key.
"Where is he, the villain?" said Ward.
" Gone ; cleared," said Loo Key. " He dare not
stay until you recovered."
"A good job he didn't," said Ward. "Wait until
I catch him. I'll make it hot for him. He murdered
Will Alton right enough."
" No," said Loo Key.
"But I tell you he did. When I heard of the
accident I knew in a minute why he had asked me
those questions about the last fence."
Ward's head ached violently, and he cursed and
raved at Mark Halberd's treachery.
"What did you tell him about Nell?" said Ward,
sullenly.
" I said the truth, that I was going to marry your
daughter."
" What did he say ? "
28o BANKER AND BROKER.
"Abused you for letting her marry me, and said
you had sold her to me."
"And so I have," said Ward. "Poor Nell. Let
her off the bargain, Key, there's a good sort."
" A bargain's a bargain," said Loo Key; " I will
treat her well, and you know it. She will get fond
of me in time. She shall have everything she wants,
and I will behave well to you."
"Well, if it's settled I suppose it must come off,"
said Ward; "but I don't half like it."
This terrible bargain Ward had struck with Loo
Key was by no means an uncommon one.
It may be as well to state that Ward's daughter
escaped her fate, as she died before the time fixed
for her sacrifice.
This incident is merely mentioned because it is
founded on fact.
Mark Halberd felt somewhat relieved at having
had it out with Ward.
He found Sydney unbearable, and resolved to leave
the city for a time.
His mother supplied him with ready cash, and he
determined to go overland to Adelaide and then take
the steamer to Colombo and have a tour through India.
Curiously enough Mark Halberd had so mapped out
his plans that he would catch the R.M.S. " Waratah"
at Adelaide, and in this vessel Cyril Melrose, his wife
and daughter, and Phil Baxter were passengers.
Bellevue was not sold. Phil Baxter declined to
realise upon it.
"You may return some day, Mrs. Melrose," he
said. " And if you do I know how you would love to
be in the old home once more."
WARD MEETS MARK HALBERD. 281
"I should, indeed," she replied. "You are ever
generous, and I wish I could repay you in full for all
your kindness."
" You wish that," said Phil, with a gleam in his eyes.
" I do," she said. " It's only what you deserve."
With this he had to remain contented, but it gave
him unutterable joy to think that deep down in her
heart Flora Melrose still kept a warm corner for him.
It was a disagreeable surprise for the party when
Mark Halberd came on board at Adelaide.
Mark, however, contrary to general expectations,
held himself aloof.
When the " Waratah " had been five days out from
Adelaide, Mark Halberd was missing. Search was
made high and low for him, but without avail, and
the general conclusion arrived at was that he had
accidentally fallen overboard.
He was not missed, for he had hardly become
popular during his short time on board.
"It's a just fate," said Phil; "I am sure he
deliberately killed Will Alton."
" Perhaps you are right," said Cyril. " A sure
punishment must overtake our sins sooner or later,"
and he sighed.
"You have expiated your offence," said Phil;
" think no more of it. In the new life you are going
to you must leave the old one behind. Be a new man,
and you will succeed."
When Baxter was alone, he could not help wonder-
ing where Halberd had met his fate and how.
282 BANKER A7VZ7 BKOKE1Z.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
phil baxter's reward.
Cyril's health had been permanently affected by
his imprisonment. There could be no doubt about
that. He worked hard in the new position in which
he had been placed, and, as Mr. Hathrop anticipated,
he retrieved his lost character, and once more re-
gained the confidence of his employers.
The Melroses lived very quietly in London. They
made no ostentatious display, and had few friends.
In the great city a man can bury himself with
safety, and very few people knew of Cyril's past life.
He was a changed man. He felt he had to regain
his wife's esteem—that was his principal aim, and
once having done that he could die content. So he
worked hard at business, and at home was kind and
affectionate.
But his strength failed him daily, and he knew he
should not live long.
Five years quickly rolled by, and the branch busi-
ness of the bank had during that period increased
•wonderfully.
Flora Melrose saw the change daily coming over
her husband, and she became very anxious. She had
long ago forgiven him for doubting her, but she could
not quite forget.
The physician Cyril consulted gravely shook his
head, and said he must be prepared for the worst.
PHIL BAXTER'S REWARD. 283
Then there came a time when Cyril could only
attend the bank at intervals.
He longed for some friend of his former days to be
near him in case of accident, and his thoughts con-
stantly reverted to Phil Baxter, who, after a six
months' stay in London, had returned to Sydney.
" Flora, I wish we had Baxter with us," he said, one
day when he felt weaker than usual. " I should feel
happier if I knew he was here to protect you when I
am gone."
"You must not talk like that, Cyril," she replied,
and her heart beat rapidly at the mention of Baxter's
name. " If you would like to see Mr. Baxter I am
sure he would come over."
When Baxter received the cablegram asking him
to go to London he knew what it meant.
When Baxter arrived in London he was shocked
and astonished to find such a change in Cyril.
There was no trace of the fine handsome dashing
banker of the old days in Sydney. All the life and
fire had gone out of him. Cyril was sinking gradually
away, the cause—a wrecked and ruined life.
It did Cyril good to chat over old times with Phil,
and Flora Melrose and Lilian were glad to hear of
Rupert's welfare and happiness.
" Rupert has turned out as good a manager as you,
Cyril, and he will shortly fill your old post. He is
young for such a position, but he has plenty of con-
fidence, and is remarkably clever. He looks older
than his years, and since his marriage with Mary
Hathrop he has become quite a family man. Mr.
Hathrop, and, in fact, all the directors have every
confidence in him. I can assure you," he said, " Mr.
284 BANKER AND BROKER.
and Mrs. Melrose are a very happy couple, and it
seems quite like old times to visit them at Bellevue."
"And is Mary quite strong again?" asked Flora.
"Yes," said Phil, "her recovery was remarkable.
The doctors almost gave her up, for she had a relapse,
and one of them went so far as to prophecy she would
never be able to walk again. Mary, however, has a
brave spirit, and she would not give way. You re-
collect an old black fellow at Leura called King
Willie?" said Phil.
"Yes," said Flora. "What of him?"
"It appears he was a kind of medicine man in his
tribe as well as king, and he concocted all kinds of
remedies from herbs and plants. He persuaded
Mary to try one of his remedies, and the effect was
simply marvellous. In a few weeks she improved
rapidly, and the doctor was quite proud of his skill.
She vows King Willie's medicine cured her, and I
have no doubt it had a good deal to do with it."
" I should like to see them once more at the dear
old place/' said Cyril, with a sigh.
When alone with Baxter he told him he had made
him joint executor with his wife, and asked him to
take her back to Sydney, as he was sure she would
wish to go there.
"I shall not be here long, Phil. God knows what
I have suffered during the past few years. I have
kept it to myself, but it has been horrible. Every
person coming to see me at the Bank on business
I fancied knew my past life, and looked upon me
with distrust. I have had to put up with constant
petty annoyances. One man in the Bank took a
particular dislike to me on account of my being made
PHIL BAXTER'S REWARD. 285
manager when he had anticipated the billet. I fancy
he must have had relatives in Sydney. At all events,
he found out all about me, and he was constantly
dropping mysterious hints and innuendoes which made
my blood boil. I was powerless. At last he openly
insulted me, and I had to get rid of him. He has
constantly annoyed me ever since."
Baxter could understand what all this had meant to a
man of Cyril's temperament, and he pitied his friend.
" Poor Flora," sighed Cyril. " Do you know, Phil,
I fancy at times she has never quite forgiven me for
doubting her."
"Nonsense, man," said Phil. "She knows you
were hardly responsible for what you said then."
"Phil, when I am gone you will take care of her,
won't you ? " said Cyril.
" I will, old fellow," said Phil.
"She respects you, Baxter, and we have ex-
perienced in the past how true a friend you can be."
The end came at last, and a month after Baxter
landed Cyril was no more.
Flora Melrose mourned for him deeply, and it was
a comfort for her to have such a friend as Phil Baxter
near to take all responsibility on to his shoulders.
She felt she would like to return to Sydney and be
near her son and his wife, and Baxter counselled her
that was the best course she could adopt.
He made arrangements for the voyage, and accom-
panied them to Sydney.
Rupert and Mary were delighted to see them again,
and the sight of her son grown into such a handsome,
manly husband and father rejoiced her heart, and
took away much of the pain caused by Cyril's death.
286 BANKER AND BROKER.
And Mary was eager to do all in her power to
make her and Lilian happy.
Lilian had become a much more sober-minded
woman since the sad death of her lover, and the
wound she received then had healed. She was
"a splendid woman," so the men said, and no doubt
in future years she will make a good wife.
Seated on the verandah at Bellevue one magni-
ficent moonlight night some months after their return,
Flora Melrose was in deep thought.
She looked out across the harbour, and saw the
moon reflected in the glistening waters, and tinting
the numerous bays and inlets with her pale, soft
light.
Her mind went back over a vista of years spent
with Cyril in this peaceful spot. She was considering
a weighty proposal, and arguing with her conscience
as to what it was right for her to do.
Philip Baxter had at last given way. He could
stand it no longer. To be near her almost daily.
To see the woman he had loved all his life free, and
not make an attempt to obtain her for himself, was
more than human nature could bear. He had battled
with the temptation, but it had overcome him.
After a great struggle he came to the conclusion it
would not be disloyal to his dead friend to ask Flora
to be his wife.
And he had asked her in his plain straightforward
way, not mincing matters, but requesting her if her
conscience sanctioned it, to be his wife.
It was this proposal Flora Melrose was now con-
sidering, and Phil Baxter was to have her answer
to-night.
PHIL BAXTER'S REWARD. 287
Rupert, Mary, and Lilian had all agreed if she
could be happy with Baxter it would be a just reward
for his life-long fidelity, and no slur upon Cyril's
memory. So nothing remained but her own conscience,
which she was endeavouring to mould to her will.
She acknowledged she could love Baxter, not as a
young girl, madly, passionately, but as a woman well
tried in this world's battle of life. And such a love
is worth untold wealth.
A faithful, honest true heart was now beating for
Phil Baxter as he drove towards Bellevue to learn
his fate.
She had conquered her conscience at last, and de-
termined what her answer should be.
And a soft light, as peaceful as the moon's gentle
beams, came into her eyes, and as she thought of all
this man had done for her, and those dear to her,
she felt it was but a small recompense to give him
herself.
A step on the walk, and in another moment Philip
Baxter stood before her.
She looked into his face, and saw there eager ex-
pectancy and great love for herself.
Neither spoke a word for some time.
Then she rose from her seat, and held out both
her hands to him.
He took them and pressed them hard. She could
feel his nerves vibrating with the excitement of his
great hope. Yet he could hardly realise that his
happiness was complete.
" Philip," how sweet the name sounded from her
lips, " I promised you should have an answer to-
night. If you think me worthy to be your wife, I will
288 BANKER AND BROKER.
try to be a true woman to you, and love you until we
are compelled to part. Yes, Philip, I will be your wife."
He took her in his arms, and strained her to his
breast.
"At last," he murmured, "Flora, my own darling,
I have won you after all these years."
He could hardly believe it true. As he looked into
her still beautiful face, he wondered what he had ever
done to earn such a great reward.
" I have loved you all my life," he said.
" I know it," she replied. " I have known it all
along, and it has made me respect you and believe in
you, and, Philip, I trusted in you as I never trusted
any man before."
" We must be married soon, Flora," he said.
" When you please," she answered. " I am yours
already."
Philip Baxter was rewarded at last. He had been
true to his early love through all these years, and his
devotion had been recognised.
They were approaching the autumn of life, but
there were many happy years before them.
Love, such as Baxter's, never notices age. In the
face of the loved one it sees no change, and each
year added to the list only brings regret that the time
of companionship on earth is hastening to its close.
THE END.
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