"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."
Carnaby's smile vanished, and he stared up at calm-eyed Barnabas in
open-mouthed astonishment.
"You're not mad, are you?" he demanded at last, his red under-lip
curling.
"Sir," said Barnabas, taking out his memorandum, "it is now your
turn to answer. Do you take my bet?"
"Take it!" cried Sir Mortimer fiercely, "yes! I'll double it--make
it ten thousand guineas, sir!"
"Fifteen if you wish," said Barnabas, his pencil poised.
"No, by God! but I'll add another five and make it an even twenty
thousand!"
"May I suggest you double instead, and make it thirty?" inquired
Barnabas.
"Ha!--may I venture to ask how much higher you are prepared to go?"
"Why, sir," said Barnabas thoughtfully, "I have some odd six hundred
thousand pounds, and I am prepared to risk--a half."
"Vastly fine, sir!" laughed Sir Mortimer, "why not put it at a round
million and have done with it.
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