"Well, upon my word, if you ask my opinion, I think there is no better horse than that bay they call 'Niagara;' and if you and Spavin can agree as to price, you may settle the business without further hesitation."
Douglas Dale acted immediately upon the baronet's advice. He went into Mr. Spavin's little counting-house, and wrote a cheque for the price of the horse on the spot, much to that gentleman's satisfaction. While Douglas Dale was writing this cheque, Victor Carrington waited in the yard outside the counting-house.
He took this opportunity of addressing Hawkins, the groom.
"I want a job done in your line," he said, "and I think you'd be just the man to manage it for me. Have you any spare time?"
"I've an hour or two, now and then, of a night, after my work's over," answered the man.
"At what time, and where, are you to be met with after your work?"
"Well, sir, my own home is too poor a place for a gentleman like you to come to; but if you don't object to a public—and a very respectable public, too, in its way—there's the 'Goat and Compasses,' three doors down the little street as you'll see on your left, as you leave this here yard, walking towards London."
"Yes, yes," interrupted Victor, impatiently; "you are to be found at the 'Goat and Compasses'?"
"I mostly am, sir, after nine o'clock of an evening—summer and winter—"
"That will do," exclaimed Victor, with a quick glance at the door of the counting-house. "I will see you at the 'Goat and Compasses' to-night, at nine. Hush!"