"Alas, sir,—even your expectations may occasionally be disappointed," said Barnabas, beginning to smile aggressively. "But, as to my resources, I do not lack for money, and am ready, here and now, to lay you, or any one else, a thousand guineas that I shall be one of the first three to pass the winning-post on the fifteenth."
Sir Mortimer's frown grew more ominous, the flush deepened in his cheeks, and his powerful right hand clenched itself, then he laughed.
"Egad! you have plenty of assurance, sir. It is just possible that you may have ridden—now and then?"
"Sufficiently to know one end of a horse from the other, sir," retorted Barnabas, his smile rather grim.
"And you are willing to bet a thousand guineas that you ride third among all the best riders in the three kingdoms, are you?"
"No, sir," said Barnabas, shaking his head, "the bet was a rash one,
—I humbly beg leave to withdraw it. Instead, I will bet five
thousand guineas that I pass the winning-post before you do, Sir
Mortimer."
Carnaby's smile vanished, and he stared up at calm-eyed Barnabas in open-mouthed astonishment.
"You're not mad, are you?" he demanded at last, his red under-lip curling.
"Sir," said Barnabas, taking out his memorandum, "it is now your turn to answer. Do you take my bet?"
"Take it!" cried Sir Mortimer fiercely, "yes! I'll double it—make it ten thousand guineas, sir!"