"Now I want to have a definite understanding with you, Miss Rada," Jack said roughly, after they had taken a few steps. "Do you mean to marry me, or don't you? I'm not the sort of man to be kept dangling for long at the end of a piece of string. If you want to cry off, say so. Clear up the money you and your father owe me and have done with it." He cast a furtive glance from under his heavy brows in the direction of Daisy Simpson. "I don't believe you care a hang for me, really," he went on, "while Daisy--well, I've just been having a chat with her and she's as fond of me now as ever she was. London's made a different woman of her too, as you can see for yourself. She's the kind of girl any chap might be proud of." "No doubt you're quite right, Jack," said Rada. "I can quite understand Miss Simpson's attraction for you." "Well, I'm talking straight to you, aren't I? If you want to give me the chuck, just say so. Though, mind you," he repeated threateningly, "I shall expect payment in full. That's plain enough, what?" "It's very plain, Jack," replied Rada quietly, "and really I think I had better pay you the money. If Castor wins I can do so quite easily." A shade of anxiety crossed her brow as she spoke. If Castor won! Yes, it was upon that that she had been depending to escape from this foolish tangle in which she had involved herself. If Castor won she could pay Jack what she owed him, and be free. But then, on the other hand, if Castor won, what would be the consequence to Mostyn Clithero? "Oh, Castor will win right enough." Jack tugged at his scrappy moustache and smiled maliciously. "You can take that as a tip from me, Rada, though it's your own horse we're talking about. Castor's going to win, my word upon it." He chuckled under his breath. "I've seen to that," he added. Rada drew up abruptly, staring at her companion. "What did you say?" she asked quickly. "Oh, nothing," responded Jack a trifle uneasily. "Only I've backed Castor pretty heavily myself. That's all I meant." Rada was only half reassured, but she could elicit nothing more, though she questioned Jack closely. The latter was inclined to be rough, threatening, and impertinent. From his point of view he had been treated badly, and it made no difference that he himself was willing to cry off the engagement. He pointed out to Rada--a fact of which she was already aware--that her father's affairs were so involved that, even if Castor won, she would hardly be able to put them straight. It was not only to the Treves's that they were in debt; Captain Armitage had consistently raised money in any way that suggested itself, and now he was about to reap the harvest of his follies.