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Rh refuse, judging from his conversation over the telephone. His own yacht is out of commission, and I'm quite sure he wouldn't care to put himself under obligations to anyone else by accepting the loan of a steamer. The only thing I fear is that he may charter a yacht for himself, but I'll see him as soon as possible this morning, and, if once he promises to go with me, he is quite certain to keep his word."

"You drive a hard bargain, Hazel, but that's all right. I don't object to dealing with a man who knows what he wants. I can't give you the two thousand just now, but if you come to my office at four o'clock this afternoon, and tell me Lord Stranleigh has accepted your invitation, I'll hand over the cheque for two thousand."

"You mean you'll give me then the cheque for five thousand?"

"No, I don't. You write him a letter, and when you bring me that letter I'll give you the other three thousand."

"But you'll pay me the two thousand this afternoon?"

"Yes, if you say he promises to go with you. But you must put down in writing and sign exactly what you promise to do, and if you try to play any tricks with me I'll see that you are expelled from your clubs all right enough."

The Honourable John Hazel demurred at placing his signature to any document which, if made