"You have just called on Gladwyne," Batley began. Lisle stopped. There was, so far as he knew, nothing to be said in favor of the man, but his cool boldness was tempered by a certain geniality and an occasional candor that the Canadian could not help appreciating. He preferred Batley to Gladwyne. "That's so," he agreed. "I'm inclined to think your visit concerned me. I've noticed your interest in young Crestwick--it's obvious--I don't know whether one could say the same of the cause of it?" "We won't discuss that. If you have anything to say to me, you had better adopt a less offensive style." Batley smiled good-humoredly. "You're quick at resenting things. I don't see why you should expect a longer patience from me." "I don't expect anything from you," Lisle informed him. "In proof of it, I'll mention that I called to tell Gladwyne he must keep you off of Jim Crestwick." He made a slip in the last few words, which the other quickly noticed. "Ordered him, in fact," he said. Lisle made no answer and Batley resumed: "You have some kind of a hold on Gladwyne; so have I. Of course, it's no news to you. I'm a little curious to learn what yours consists of." "Why?" "It struck me that we might work together." "I'm not going in for card-sharping or anything of that kind!" The man seemed roused by this, but he mastered his anger. "Civility isn't expensive and sometimes it's wise," he observed. "I won't return the compliment; in fact, I'll credit you with the most disinterested motives. All I mean is that I might help you and you might help me. I'm not quite what you seem to think I am, and if I can get my money back out of Gladwyne I won't harm him." "I don't care in the least whether you harm him or not. But I'll try to arrange that you drop Crestwick." Batley considered this for a moment or two. "Well," he said, "I'm sorry we can't agree; but as regards Crestwick you can only head me off by forcing Gladwyne to interfere. Between ourselves, do you think he's a man who's likely to take a bold course?" "I think so--in the present case." "You mean if the pressure's sufficient. Now you have given me a glimpse at your hand and I'll be candid. Gladwyne rather let me in, and there's a risk in dealing with a lad who's to all intents and purposes a minor; I've gone about as far with him as I consider judicious. Don't do anything that may damage Gladwyne financially without giving me warning, and in return I'll let Crestwick go. To some extent, I only got hold of him as an offset to the trouble I've had with Gladwyne. Is it a bargain? You can trust me." "We'll let it go at that," replied Lisle. "But I'll keep my eye on you." Batley's gesture implied that he would not object to this, and he turned away, leaving the Canadian to walk back to Nasmyth's thoughtfully. Lisle did not think he had done Gladwyne much harm by his tacit admissions, and he had some degree of confidence in Batley's assurance. CHAPTER XVII A BAD FALL