But, let me see--um--urn--" Dawson was reflecting again, with an ostentation which might have roused the suspicions of a less guileless person than Arthur Ranger at twenty-five.

"You could, perhaps, give us a retainer of say, a thousand in cash ?" "Yes," said Arthur, relieved.

He thought he saw light ahead.
"Then we could take your note for say, five thousand--due in eighteen months.

You could renew it, if your victory was by any chance delayed beyond that time." "Your victory" was not very adroit, but it was adroit enough to bedazzle Arthur.

"Certainly," said he gratefully.
Dawson shut his long, wild-looking teeth and gently drew back his dry, beard-discolored lips, while his keen eyes glinted behind his spectacles.
The fly had a leg in the web! Business being thus got into a smooth way, Dawson and Arthur became great friends.