Page:The Death-Doctor.djvu/50

38 days, don't worry, boy." And I had to be content with this meagre assurance.

However, Laurence, he did come back—to find me at the "Hermitage" and stone-broke. I'd lost every sou at the tables, and my hotel-bill was owing—a big one!

"Thank Heaven you've turned up," I said as he swaggered in, immaculately dressed. "Have you managed all right?"

"So so," said he. "Let's have a whisky and soda. I'll be your guest to-day. I'm staying at the 'Regina.'" That wasn't the hotel he named—for it would hardly do to indicate it here.

His manner was supercilious, and I somehow scented trouble.

"How much have you got for me?" I asked in an undertone as we sat at a little table in the winter garden.

"I'm afraid I can't make it more than—let's see, you've had a hundred?—another four hundred."

"What?" I interrupted angrily. "Only four hundred, and what have you netted? Five thousand, or more!"

"Steady, boy—steady!" The old rascal smiled grimly at me. "You must leave things to me. In fact," and he involuntarily