"Nothing, thanks, Dick. As a matter of fact, I came to ask you a
favor--"
"Granted, my dear fellow!"
"I want you to ask Captain Slingsby to introduce me to Jasper Gaunt."
"Ah?" said the Viscount, coming to his elbow, "you mean on behalf of
that--"
"Of Barrymaine, yes."
"It's--it's utterly preposterous!" fumed the Viscount.
"So you said before, Dick."
"You mean to--go on with it?"
"Of course!"
"You are still determined to befriend a--"
"More than ever, Dick."
"For--Her sake?"
"For Her sake. Yes, Dick," said Barnabas, beginning to frown a little.
"I mean to free him from Gaunt, and rescue him from Chichester--if I
can."
"But Chichester is about the only friend he has left, Bev."
"On the contrary, I think Chichester is his worst enemy."
"But--my dear fellow! Chichester is the only one who has stood by
him in his disgrace, though why, I can't imagine."
"I think I can tell you the reason, and in one word," said Barnabas,
his face growing blacker.
"Well, Bev,--what is it?"
"Cleone!" The Viscount started.
"What,--you think--? Oh, impossible! The fellow would never have a
chance, she despises him, I know."
"And fears him too, Dick."
"Fears him? Gad! what do you mean, Bev?"
"I mean that, unworthy though he may be, she idolizes her brother."
"Half-brother, Bev."
"And for his sake, would sacrifice her fortune,--ah! and herself!"
"Well?"
"Well, Dick, Chichester knows this, and is laying his plans
accordingly."
"How?"
"He's teaching Barrymaine to drink, for one thing--"
"He didn't need much teaching, Bev."
"Then, he has got him in his power,--somehow or other, anyhow,
Barrymaine fears him, I know. When the time comes, Chichester means
to reach the sister through her love for her brother, and--before he
shall do that, Dick--" Barnabas threw up his head and clenched his
fists.
"Well, Bev?"
"I'll--kill him, Dick."
"You mean--fight him, of course?"
"It would be all one," said Barnabas grimly.
"And how do you propose to--go about the matter--to save Barrymaine?"
"I shall pay off his debts, first of all."
"And then?"
"Take him away with me."
"When?"
"To-morrow, if possible--the sooner the better."