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Carnaby's smile vanished, and he stared up at calm-eyed Barnabas in

open-mouthed astonishment

"You're not mad, are you?" he de

"Sir," said Barnabas, taking out his memorandum, "it is now your

turn to answer Do you take my bet?"

"Take it!" cried Sir Mortiuineas, sir!"

"Fifteen if you wish," said Barnabas, his pencil poised

"No, by God! but I'll add another five and est you double instead, and make it thirty?" inquired

Barnabas

"Ha!--o?"

"Why, sir," said Barnabas thoughtfully, "I have some odd six hundred

thousand pounds, and I ahed Sir Mortimer, "why not put it at a round

ht inquire of ested

"Twenty thousand will suit me very well, sir!" nodded Sir Mortiure, Sir Mortiuineas that you do not pass the

winning-post ahead of me! And what's ad,--I'll take you!"

"And I also," said Mr Chichester, opening his betting-book "Gentlemen,

you are all witnesses of the bet Co--why not gather it in--eh, Marquis?" But