"He seemed very anxious to buy the vases, but he couldn't quite make up his mind. I didn't exactly trust the fellow," said George. Then he went on to describe the millionaire's adventures with aeroplane and motor car between London and Highfield. "That was just his ornamental way of telling you he's a hustler. He travelled by railway, and third class all the way. Jenkins is an awful liar; but he's honest. I want to catch the up train, due in about twenty minutes, so we had better get to business. If you are ready to hand over the pieces, I am prepared to give you my cheque for a thousand marked accepted by the bank." "Jenkins said they were really worth more than that." "Though he wouldn't give it," laughed Crampy. "I'll just take another look at 'em to make sure." "It doesn't matter," George protested. However, Crampy insisted in a courteous fashion: so they walked to the far end of the platform, where George unpacked one of the vases, and the dealer, having put on his glasses, examined it shrewdly until the owner began to suffer from the silence. "Do you know, Mr. Drake, I'm not sure--upon my soul I can't say for certain whether the things are genuine or not." "Don't tell me they are forgeries," said George weakly. "They are marvellously well done. Still, I've got a horrible idea in my head there is something wrong with them." "Jenkins told you?" cried George involuntarily. "So he said they were fakes!" "He didn't go as far as that, but he thought there might be some doubt about them," George admitted. "It looks bad--Jenkins is an uncommon smart amateur. Still, Mr. Drake, I'm a man of my word, and I'm going to make you an extremely liberal offer. I'll buy the vases for the price agreed upon. If they should turn out to be genuine, I can make a fair profit. If they must be condemned as forgeries, I may discover somebody with plenty of money but not enough brains to put unpleasant questions. Or, if you prefer it, I will sell the vases for you on commission. But, in that case, you stand to lose. It's a gamble so far as I'm concerned." "That's a luxury I can't afford," George muttered. "Exactly! Here's my cheque! I'm not a philanthropist; I'm willing to do any man a good turn, but I'm far more anxious to do a bit of good for myself. I may lose, but it's just as likely I shall clear a profit. These vases can be passed off, though you couldn't do it--but, mind you, I don't say even now they are not genuine." With a vast sense of relief George accepted the cheque, and gave up possession of the Chinese vases. CHAPTER XIII WASPS AND OTHER WORRIES "Have you any idea what we are doing here?" Miss Yard inquired one morning, while Nellie was assisting her to dress. "We came to live with your sister," replied the girl.