"We've had a lovely run from town, Count Edouard," she gushed, "and it is just too awfully nice of you to be in Brighton. Now, _don't_ say you have made all sorts of engagements for the evening." "Such as they are they go by the board, dear lady," said the gallant Count, who had good teeth, and showed them in a succession of grins. "Ten to-morrow morning, Fitzroy," said Cynthia, turning on the steps as she was about to enter the hotel. He lifted his cap. "The car will be ready, Miss Vanrenen," said he. He got down, and scowled, yes, actually scowled, at a porter who was hauling too strongly at the straps and buckles of the dust-covered trunks. "Damage the car's paint and I'll raise bigger blisters on yours," was what he said to the man. But his thoughts were of Count Edouard Marigny, and, like the people's discussion of the Derby, they took the form of question and answer. "When is a coincidence not a coincidence?" he asked himself. "When it is prearranged," was the answer. Then he drove round to the yard at the rear of the hotel, where Dale awaited him, for Medenham would intrust the cleaning of the car to no other hands. "You've booked my room at the Grand Hotel and taken my bag there?" he inquired. "Yes, my lord." "Make these people give you the key when the door is locked for the night, and bring the car to my hotel at nine o'clock." He hurried away, and Dale looked after him. "Something must ha' worried his lordship," said the man. "First time I've ever seen him in a bad temper. An' what about Eyot? Three to one the paper says. P'raps he'll think of it in the morning." CHAPTER III SOME EMOTIONS--WITHOUT A MORAL Not until he was dressing, and the contents of his pockets were spread on a table, did Medenham remember Dale's commission. It was quite true, as he told Mrs. Devar, that he had backed Vendetta for a small stake on his own account. But that was an afterthought, and the bet was made with another bookmaker at reduced odds. Altogether, including the few sovereigns in his possession at the beginning of the day, he counted nearly fifty pounds in gold, an exceptionally large amount to be carried in England, where considerations of weight alone render banknotes preferable.