“How did this boy come to know you at all then, Johnny?”
For a moment the little man hesitated. At last he began to explain.
“His father had money. There was a time when he acted as my backer, and as I won my fights he made a very good profit. Then he came to me one day and proposed a put-up job. He wanted me to fight a man and lose. It was to sway the betting to his advantage. But I told him what I thought of him and he never backed me again. I didn’t care for him to. This son, from what I know, will be much the same as the father, and he knows well enough my history.”
“His name would be Coles,” said Toby.
The little man looked at him in surprise.
“You know him?”
“Very well indeed,” said Toby. “Strangely well.”
There came an interval of silence. Toby appeared to be considering. At last he looked up.
“You are the father of a boy at Harley, Mr Carr,” said he. “Do you know all that has been happening there this term?”
“Bobbie has told me,” said the little man. “I am very sorry.”