Laughing boisterously, the three swaggered over to Hamilton and
Churchill, who were sitting by the fireside. Wentworth took off his
coat, held it before the blaze to dry, and said, with a terrible oath:--

"Bad night without! Never saw it rain so hard! Raw and cold for this time
of the year!"

Crofts ordered a fresh bowl of Rack punch; then, turning to Wentworth,
asked:--

"Raining? Who cares for a little rain? I like to be out in it. By the
way, I have a wager to offer! Ten pounds to the man to the table; winner
to take the lump!"

"Hear! Hear!" cried everybody.

"Let us all walk out on the St. Albans road without our cloaks, the last
man to turn homeward wins the entire stake."

"Good!" shouted Wentworth. "I must owe my ten pounds to the pot until
to-morrow."

"And I'll take the wager! Here's my money!" said Berkeley, throwing ten
pounds to the table.

"Will you go?" asked Crofts, addressing Hamilton.

That evening George was in a mood for any adventure having action in it,
for he was nearly out of money. He did not suspect the real purpose of