It was a three of hearts, and Gladwyne's smile lingered for a moment after Lisle fired again. "Bottom now; you're low!" he cried, and then his expression slightly changed. Both spots were drilled out--this did not look altogether like an accident. "Center!" he announced after another shot, and all the faces surrounding him became intent. The three hearts were neatly punched. "A fresh card!" exclaimed Crestwick, looking around at Batley with an exultant sparkle in his eyes. "You offered to let me off. Shall I return the compliment?" The man laughed carelessly, though Lisle thought it cost him an effort. "No," he retorted; "I can't show myself less of a sportsman than you are; but I think I've the option of demanding a longer range. Move the mat back twenty-five yards and put up an ace of spades; it's the plainest. Three shots each should suffice at the distance." Crestwick got down and thrice touched the outside of the card; Batley did better, for two shots broke the edge of the black and one was close above them. It was good shooting at so small a mark, and Lisle was a little anxious as he very deliberately stretched himself out on the mat. Having little of the gambler's instinct in his nature, he was reluctant to lose the money at stake, but he was more unwilling to let Batley fleece the lad whom, as he recognized now, he had been asked to aid. He meant to do so, if the thing were possible, and twice he paused and relaxed his grip when his sight grew slightly blurred. Then there was a sharp crack, and he smiled when he heard Gladwyne's report. "I can't see it. These are only opera-glasses." Dead silence followed the next shot, which left no visible mark on the target; and Lisle did not look around as he thrust his last cartridge into the rifle. He let it lie beside him for half a minute while he opened and shut his right hand, and then, taking it up quickly, fired. Still there was no blur on the white surface of the card and Gladwyne sharply shut his glasses, while two of the onlookers ran toward the target. They came back in silence and one significantly held up the ace. There were three small holes in the black center. Gladwyne had turned away when Lisle got up, but Batley concealed his feelings very well. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "As I can't beat that, the only thing left me is to pay up." Lisle turned to Crestwick, who looked hot and excited. "You made the bet," he said. "Will you use my half in buying a competition cup for one of your clubs?" He saw Batley's smile and a somewhat curious look in Gladwyne's face, but the group broke up and he strolled back across the lawn with Bella. "I'm grateful," she said softly. "I was a little afraid at first that I was asking too much of you." Lisle met her glance with a good assumption of surprise. "Grateful? Because I indulged in a rather enjoyable match?" She laughed.