"Well, you had better hold Gwendoline's hand as engagingly as you can," he said. "It will probably be your last chance, as far as I'm concerned." Reggie looked at him with a faint wrinkle in his forehead. "Is it a riddle, Tony?" he asked plaintively. "I am no good at riddles unless I'm slightly drunk." "The answer," said Tony, selecting a shirt with some care, "is Little Eva. It's very painful, but the fact remains that if Little Eva doesn't win to-day there's an end of Antony Delmar." Reggie paused in the act of lighting a cigarette. "You're not thinking of poisoning yourself, are you, Tony?" he asked, with interest. "Because, if so, a doctor chap once told me----" Tony laughed. "You're always very helpful, Reggie," he said; "but, as a matter of fact, I've not the least idea of doing anything so exciting. I only mean that unless Little Eva brings it off we've finished this particular chapter. I've no doubt Ropes will lend me a tenner, but, bar that, I shall be what Pat O'Donnell used to call 'bruk to the buff.'" For the first time Reggie looked a little serious. "Are things really as bad as that?" he asked. "Worse," said Tony calmly. "Much worse. There are my unhappy tradesmen to be considered. That's the only point that worries me. I hate doing a tradesman, Reggie, but I'm afraid I shall have to." "Of course you will," said Reggie hopefully. "We're always having to do unpleasant things in this life. It's what my uncle the bishop calls 'our duty,' You'll have to go bankrupt, Tony, and then borrow a few thousands and start over again." Tony, who was adjusting his tie with some care, smiled. "It's a good idea," he said, "but, unfortunately, I've rather forestalled it. The five thousand that I've got on Little Eva with Morris and Weaver was a sort of farewell testimonial from my friends. I think I touched everyone except you and Ropes, and Ropes has been paying the bills for at least a fortnight. I really can't go on any longer, or the poor fellow will have lost all he's robbed me of." "Do you mean to say you've put the actual cash up?" demanded Reggie in horror. "I had to, my dear Reggie. That little beast Murray, who runs the business, wouldn't take a 'pony' from me unless he saw the colour of it first." "And what do you stand to win?" Tony sighed. "Twenty-seven thousand pounds," he said. "It's a beautiful sum, isn't it? I could pay my bills and live for nearly three years on it." Reggie poured himself out the remainder of the champagne. "You make me feel quite faint, Tony," he said, "you're so spacious." Then he took a long drink. "And what do you propose doing," he added, "if Little Eva's beaten?" "I shall have to work," said Tony. Reggie stared at him in unaffected amazement. "Have to what?" he repeated. "Work," repeated Tony. "I believe it's very difficult and unpleasant, but I don't see any other prospect." A mingled look of horror and admiration crept across Reggie's face.