ministry."

"I dare say it can be managed. But this will be of little use if you are
still to remain an embarrassed man. I hear you were afraid of arrest in
London."

"Who told you that?"

"Dawkes."

"Dawkes! Then, Edward--" Val Elster stopped. In his vexation, he was
about to retaliate on Captain Dawkes by a little revelation on the score
of _his_ affairs, certain things that might not have redounded to that
gallant officer's credit. But he arrested the words in time: he was of a
kindly nature, not fond of returning ill for ill. With all his follies,
Val Elster could not remember to have committed an evil act in all his
life, save one. And that one he had still the pleasure of paying for
pretty deeply.

"Dawkes knows nothing of my affairs except from hearsay, Edward. I was
once intimate with the man; but he served me a shabby trick, and that
ended the friendship. I don't like him."

"I dare say what he said was not true," said Lord Hartledon kindly. "You
might as well make a confidant of me. However, I have not time to talk
to-day. We will go into the matter, Val, after Monday, when this race has
come off, and see what arrangement can be made for you. There's only one
thing bothers me."

"What's that?"