Blind Policy Part 30

"I don't," said Arthur, complacently--"Old boy's a bit jealous," he added to himself.

"Then don't act as if you did. They're sharp enough, and before long they'll begin talking. One of 'em 'll be jealous of you taking out another, and then out'll come the claw from the soft paws, and there'll be a row."

"Well, they must settle it among themselves if there is."

"But don't you see that the disappointed one that you've made an enemy 'll begin to talk nasty-like and she'll know what your wages are."

"Eh?"

"That's it, my boy; she'll be wanting to know how you can be treating some of 'em to music-halls, and paying for cabs and railway fares, and supper afterwards, on five pound a quarter."

"Dash it!" cried Arthur.

"Yes, that's it, my lad. You and me's doing very nicely just now; don't spoil a good thing. See what I mean?"

"Yes, I see what you mean, old chap," said Arthur, who had suddenly become sobered.

"That's right. You see, you gave Maria Blay a gold watch."

"Only a second-'and 'un, and I bought the p.a.w.n-ticket cheap."

"Maybe, but there's a big sound about a gold watch. Then you gave cook a brooch, and Betsy Dellow a gold ring, and it ain't wise, my lad, it ain't wise. We're on the road to fortune, so don't you get looking back for the sake of a bit of nonsense, or you and me may have to part.

Don't do foolish things."

"No, Mr Roach, I won't, sir. I'm very sorry, and I'll be a bit more careful."

"That's right, Orthur," said the butler, importantly. "I shouldn't like for anything to come between us two."

"Of course not, sir. It wouldn't do," cried the footman, eagerly.

"Got anything new?"

"Well, no, Mr Roach, sir. I haven't seen the chance of a tip lately."

The butler smiled triumphantly.

"You don't mean to say you have, sir?"

"But I do, Orthur," he replied in a hoa.r.s.e whisper. "It isn't Mr Rob's or Mr Paddy's this time, but a put-up thing of the guv'nor's."

Arthur whistled in his excitement.

"It means a big stroke, Orthur. I've got the tip, and if you and me's got the pluck to do it we're made men."

"Oh, we've got the pluck," said the footman, huskily. "What's the 'orse?"

"Not a horse at all, my lad. It's a company. They're working it to rights, and I've found out all about it, Orthur. I've seen the letters.

They're going to blow the thing up full of wind, and buy up all the shares they can. Then when the thing's at the height, they sell, and make thousands."

"Phew!" whistled the footman.

"S'pose we make a couple o' thou, a-piece; that's better than backing horses."

"Yes; but could we?"

"Don't they, my lad? Isn't all this place run that way? Why shouldn't we do it as well as them? They ain't so precious clever after all."

"Not as I see," said the younger man, contemptuously.

"Then what do you say? Shall we venture?"

"I'm on," said Arthur, eagerly. "How much does it want?"

"Two hundred a-piece. How much have you got?"

The footman gave him a curious look, and then said drily--

"Nothing at all."

"Why, you don't mean to say you've spent all we've made, Arthur?"

"Every penny. Haven't you?"

The butler was silent, and frowned; but his companion followed up his question.

"Well, why don't you answer a fellow?"

"I haven't exactly spent it, Orthur," said the butler at last, coughing to clear his voice.

"Well, what have you done with it?"

"'Orses."

"Without saying a word to me?"

"Well, I didn't know I was bound to tell you everything, Orthur."

"Well, I did; and it serves you right. If you'd gone by my advice and taken my tips you'd ha' won."

"Yes, it was a mistake," said the butler, humbly. "I was tempted to have just one little flutter on my own account, Orthur."

"Well, don't you do it again. That's worse than giving the gals presents, old man. Then I suppose it will have to be your uncle again?"

"Yes, Orthur; but it's a pity we couldn't manage about a key for that door."

"Ah! it is; but it ain't to be done, only with a big hammer and wedges, I'm afraid. I'm trying still, though, to get a key made, and it may turn up trumps. Never mind; raise something on what you can take."

"But it won't be enough, my boy."