"Oh, by Jove! I'll stake you anything you like against him--a thousand
pounds, if you like."

"The odds must be even," I said, "and the only question is as to the
worth of the horse. That you may not think I overvalue him, however,
make it half that sum, or less, if these gentlemen think the horse has
not that value."

"A son of old Klingwalla is worth three times that," insisted Orme. "If
you don't mind, and care to close it, we'll shoot to-morrow, if Major
Williams will arrange it."

"Certainly," said that gentleman.

"Very well," I said.

"And we will be so discourteous to the stranger within our gates," said
the vivacious Kitty, "as to give you a jolly good beating, Captain Orme.
We'll turn out the Post to see the match. But now we must be making
ready for the serious matters of the evening. Mr. Orme, you dance, of
course. Are you a married man--but what a question for me to ask--of
course you're not!"

Orme smiled, showing his long, narrow teeth. "I've been a bit busy for
that," he said; "but perhaps my time has come."

"It surely has," said Kitty Stevenson. "I've offered to wager Mr. Cowles
anything he liked that he'd be engaged before twelve o'clock. Look,
isn't it nicely done?"