The Amateur Gentleman

"Viscount," said he, "for that I thank you most sincerely, most

deeply. But, indeed, it will not be necessary, seeing I am here to

do it for myself, and to answer such questions as I think--proper."

"Ah, Mr.--Beverley!" drawled Sir Mortimer, seating himself on the

tale and crossing his legs, "you come pat, and since you are here, I

desire a word with you."

"As many as you wish, sir," answered Barnabas, and he looked very

youthful as he bowed his curly head.

"It would seem, Mr. Beverley, that you are something of a mystery,

and I, for one, don't like mysteries. Then it has been suggested

that you and I have met before our introduction, and, egad! now I

come to look at you more attentively, your face does seem familiar,

and I am curious to know who you may happen to be?"

"Sir," said Barnabas, looking more youthful than ever, "such rare

condescension, such lively interest in my concerns, touches

me--touches me deeply," and he bowed, lower than before.

"Suppose, sir," retorted Sir Mortimer, his cheek flushing a little,

"suppose you answer my question, and tell me plainly who and what

you are?" and he stared at Barnabas, swinging his leg to and fro as

he awaited his reply.

"Sir," said Barnabas, "I humbly beg leave to remark, that as to who

I am can concern only my--friends. As to what I am concerns only my

Maker and myself--"

"Oh, vastly fine," nodded Sir Mortimer, "but that's no answer."

"And yet I greatly fear it must suffice--for you, sir," sighed

Barnabas. Sir Mortimer's swinging foot grew still, and he frowned

suddenly.

"Now look you, sir," said he slowly, and with a menace in his eyes,

"when I trouble to ask a question, I expect an answer--"

"Alas, sir,--even your expectations may occasionally be disappointed,"

said Barnabas, beginning to smile aggressively. "But, as to my

resources, I do not lack for money, and am ready, here and now, to

lay you, or any one else, a thousand guineas that I shall be one of

the first three to pass the winning-post on the fifteenth."

Sir Mortimer's frown grew more ominous, the flush deepened in his

cheeks, and his powerful right hand clenched itself, then he laughed.

"Egad! you have plenty of assurance, sir. It is just possible that

you may have ridden--now and then?"

"Sufficiently to know one end of a horse from the other, sir,"

retorted Barnabas, his smile rather grim.

"And you are willing to bet a thousand guineas that you ride third

among all the best riders in the three kingdoms, are you?"

"No, sir," said Barnabas, shaking his head, "the bet was a rash one,

--I humbly beg leave to withdraw it. Instead, I will bet five

thousand guineas that I pass the winning-post before you do, Sir

Mortimer."