“Sorry,” Lisle apologized with a smile. “I’ve an idea that you’ll be grateful when you cool off. You’ve been going it pretty strong to-night.”
“That’s true,” agreed the other with a show of pride. “Kept on raising them; made things lively!”
“Found it expensive, didn’t you?” Lisle suggested; and as they reached the foot of the stairs he led his companion toward the door. “Suppose we take a turn along the terrace before we look for your sister.”
Crestwick went with him, but presently he stopped and leaned on the low wall.
“Do you ever feel inclined for a flutter on the stock-market?” he inquired. “There’s a thing Batley put me on to—there’ll be developments in a month or two; it’s going to a big premium. Let you have a hundred shares at par. Rather in a hole, temporarily.”
Lisle had no intention of buying the stock, but he asked a few questions. It appeared that it had been issued by a new company formed to grow coffee and rubber in the tropics.
“No,” he said; “a deal of that kind is out of my line. Why not sell them through a broker and get your full profit?”
“It would take some days,” answered the other. “Besides, they won’t move up until the directors let things out at the next meeting. Something of that kind, anyway; I forget—Batley explained it.” He paused and added irritably: “Believe I told you I’m in a hole.”
“You must meet your losses and don’t know how to manage it?”
Lisle was curious and had no diffidence about putting the question, though the lad was obviously off his guard.