LONDON EDINBURGH GLASGOW

TORONTO MELBOURNE CAPETOWN BOMBAY

1921

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I.THE BOY IN THE CORNER[9]
II.THE GREAT GAME[20]
III.COMING EVENTS[31]
IV.A SLIGHT MISTAKE[40]
V.BREAKERS AHEAD[54]
VI.A RISING STAR[62]
VII.A CABINET MEETING[71]
VIII.THE THUMB-SCREW[82]
IX.A MOLE-HILL AND A MOUNTAIN[94]
X.THE WATCHERS[101]
XI.THE HOLD[110]
XII.CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE ARISEN[127]
XIII.SOMETHING UP HIS SLEEVE[135]
XIV.THE FIRST ROUND[142]
XV.THE SAFETY VALVE[152]
XVI.YESTERDAY’S CAPTAIN[165]
XVII.SALVE[182]
XVIII.THE UNCOUNTED COST[188]
XIX.THE CUP OF BITTERNESS[197]
XX.THE LAST ROUND[218]
XXI.SECRET SERVICE[230]
XXII.HARD ROE[243]
XXIII.THE DAY OF RECKONING[261]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“When he hit the boards he lay still” (See page [273]) [Frontispiece in colour]
FACING PAGE
“He began to trot up the field like a pup with a slipper”[28]
“The head advanced upon them in growing anger”[98]
“‘The match is scratched, sir,’ said he”[148]
“‘I think you’ve seen that before?’”[208]

CHAPTER I
THE BOY IN THE CORNER

A wiry, grave-faced youngster sat in the corner of the railway carriage watching a stupid parent saying good-bye to a stupid boy.