"
Douglas Dale acted immediately upon the baronet's advice. He went into
Mr. Spavin's little counting-house, and wrote a cheque for the price of
the horse on the spot, much to that gentleman's satisfaction. While
Douglas Dale was writing this cheque, Victor Carrington waited in the
yard outside the counting-house.
He took this opportunity of addressing Hawkins, the groom.
"I want a job done in your line," he said, "and I think you'd be just
the man to manage it for me. Have you any spare time?"
"I've an hour or two, now and then, of a night, after my work's over,"
answered the man.
"At what time, and where, are you to be met with after your work?"
"Well, sir, my own home is too poor a place for a gentleman like you to
come to; but if you don't object to a public--and a very respectable
public, too, in its way--there's the 'Goat and Compasses,' three doors
down the little street as you'll see on your left, as you leave this
here yard, walking towards London."
"Yes, yes," interrupted Victor, impatiently; "you are to be found at the
'Goat and Compasses'?"
"I mostly am, sir, after nine o'clock of an evening--summer and
winter--"
"That will do," exclaimed Victor, with a quick glance at the door of
the counting-house. "I will see you at the 'Goat and Compasses' to-
night, at nine. Hush!"
Eversleigh and his cousin were just emerging from the counting-house,
as Victor Carrington gave the groom a warning gesture.
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