THE MAN UNDER THE LAMP
"Sorry I have not called before," said Alan, as he shook hands with
Ella Hallam, "but by way of a change I have been busy."
"I thought you were always busy," she replied.
"On the contrary, I am afraid I neglect my duties sometimes, but then I
have such an excellent manager."
"Mr. Fraser?"
"Yes. You have met him; what do you think of him?" asked Alan.
"I like him. He struck me as a man of strong character," she answered.
"He is. He has a wonderful grasp of everything connected with the
firm," said Alan.
Eve entered the room. She said:
"I thought you had forgotten I lived at The Forest."
Alan laughed.
"I'm not likely to forget that," he said.
"My father arrives next week," said Ella. "I have written to him; he
will get the letter at Naples. I told him you were anxious to test the
merits of his horses."
"He is coming here," said Eve. "I thought it would be nice for Ella to
welcome him at The Forest."
"And I shall be delighted to show him round; he will be interested in
my stud," said Alan.
"I hear it is one of the best in England," said Ella.
"I think it compares favorably with most of them," he answered.
He remained about an hour, declined to stay for lunch, and Eve did not
press him.
He motored to the stud and found Sam Kerridge, his stud groom, waiting
for him. Sam had been at the stud since its foundation. He was a
clever man with horses, an excellent judge, and a shrewd buyer.
"That American has been here again," he said. "He's dead set on buying
Mameluke; I have tried to convince him he's not for sale."
"So have I," said Alan with a laugh. "Perhaps he thinks you can
persuade me to part with him; Valentine Braund is a persevering man."
"Like most Americans, he has plenty of cheek," said Sam. "It's a big
offer he has made."
"Thirty thousand, and Mameluke's not a young horse," said Alan.
"It's tempting," said Sam.
"I have half a mind to take it," said Alan. "There's Alfonso coming
on; he ought to make a name for himself."
"He will. I think he'll beat Mameluke's record," said Sam.
"That will be difficult. What did you say to Braund?"
"Not much; he didn't seem to believe me when I said money would not buy
him."
"I'll think it over; it's a big price," said Alan.
He went round the stud with Sam and as usual found everything in order.
Mameluke was a splendid dark bay horse, Alfonso a bright chestnut;
there was little to choose between them in point of appearance. Alan
was very fond of Mameluke; the horse had done good service at the stud,
sired many big winners, and he was reluctant to part with him. Alfonso
was worthy to take his place as the leading sire. He was a much
younger horse and his stock already showed great promise.
The mares were a splendid lot; the best blood in the world coursed
through their veins, and Alan never spared expense when he wished to
purchase. When he left, Sam Kerridge wondered what had induced him to
change his mind.
"He's inclined to consider the American's offer," he thought. "It's a
tall price, and I don't think Mameluke, at his age, is worth any more.
I shan't be surprised if the deal comes off."
The reason Alan was inclined to consider Valentine Braund's offer for
Mameluke favorably was because of the information he had received from
Duncan Fraser's Berlin correspondent. He knew if there was war it
would make a vast difference to racing, and that the price of
thoroughbreds would be considerably lowered. Thirty thousand is not a
sum to be ignored, even by a very rich man, and Alan knew Mameluke had
seen his best days. He did not care to part with an old favorite, but
it was folly to refuse such an offer when prospects, on looking ahead,
were not favorable to breeders. He decided to write to Braund and ask
if he were still inclined to make his offer for the horse. He did so,
and had not long to wait for a reply.
Valentine Braund came to Trent Park next day and said he was ready to
pay the money and take Mameluke over when he had made arrangements to
ship him to New York. The bargain was concluded and, under the
circumstances, Alan thought he could do no better than invite the
purchaser to stay a few days with him. This Braund readily agreed to,
and Alan found him a pleasant companion.
Valentine Braund was the head of an American steel trust, and a man of
many millions. Thirty thousand pounds for a horse, or for anything he
wanted, mattered little to him. A self-made man, he had worked up from
a humble position until he piled up wealth beyond his most sanguine
dreams. His energies were unbounded, he possessed a never-ending flow
of animal spirits, his confidence in himself was immense, he talked and
expressed his opinions freely.
Alan could not help liking the man although his manners were hardly to
his taste. Braund did not brag, but it was easy to see that he
considered money a passport to any society. He was good-looking
although his features were somewhat coarse, and his abrupt manner of
speaking might have offended some fastidious people.
Eve Berkeley heard the American was at Trent Park; Alan had already
described him to her, also told her of his offer for Mameluke. She was
interested, thought she would like to meet him. She invited Alan to
bring him to The Forest. He mentioned it to Braund, who was eager to
accept, and accordingly they went.
Valentine thought American women "licked creation," and said so most
emphatically, but when he saw Eve Berkeley he was astonished at her
beauty, and acknowledged to himself that he had never seen a woman to
beat her, "not even in New York." Alan was amused at his open
admiration of Eve; he laughed when Braund said:
"What a woman, splendid! She's a tip-top beauty; she'd create a
sensation in New York."
"I thought you'd like her," said Alan.
"Like her! Good heavens, she's past liking, miles beyond it; she's
adorable."
"And her friend, Miss Hallam?" asked Alan.
"A beauty, but not the equal of Miss Berkeley, not by a long way," said
Braund.
This conversation took place before dinner when they were alone for a
few minutes.
"I thought American women 'licked creation,'" said Alan, imitating him.
"Now there you have me. As a rule they do, but Miss Berkeley--she's
superb," said Braund enthusiastically.
The dinner was a success; they were lively. Braund devoted himself to
Eve, and Alan was occupied with Ella.
"I've bought Mr. Chesney's horse Mameluke," said Braund. "I gave him
thirty thousand for him and I don't consider him dear. What do you
think of the horse?"
"He's one of the best we have, and I am surprised Mr. Chesney has
parted with him," said Eve.
"So am I, but then money is money and it was cash down," said Braund.
"Mr. Chesney has plenty of money--I wonder why he sold him?" said Eve.
"You don't think there's anything wrong with the horse?" asked Braund
sharply.
"Oh no," laughed Eve; "don't be alarmed. Mr. Chesney would not have
sold him to you had such been the case."
"No, I suppose not; but I've known men who would," said Braund.
"In America?" asked Eve, with a merry twinkle in her eyes.
"Yes; there's some pretty cute hands at a bargain in my country."
"But it would be dishonest," protested Eve.
"We don't call it that," said Braund.
"Then what do you call it?" she asked.
"It would be regarded as a cute bit of business. A man is supposed to
look after his interests; if another man gets the better of him, it's
all in the game. We admire the man who gets the better of another
man," said Braund.
Eve laughed as she said:
"I am afraid that is not my way of looking at things."
"No, of course not; how could it be?" said Braund quickly.
Eve was amused at him. He had an unending flow of conversation, his
remarks were original, he expressed opinions freely in a way she was
not accustomed to hear. On the whole he created, if not an altogether
favorable impression, at least a curiosity to know more of him.
It was a pleasant evening, and as they motored back to Trent Park the
American expressed his entire approval of the visit.
"Two very sensible women," he said; "also very charming. You're lucky
to live here; I suppose you see a good deal of them?"
Alan said he did, and changed the subject. He was not inclined to
discuss Eve Berkeley with him.
"We'll go through the village," said Alan. "It won't be dark for a
long time, in fact it's light almost all night now."
He drove slowly through Little Trent. Abel Head was about to close the
Sherwood Inn; Carl Meason stood near him, full in the light of the
lamp, which Abel always lit, whether required or not, at the same hour.
"Quaint inns and places you have in this country," said Braund, as he
noticed the sign.
Abel recognized Alan and touched his cap. Carl Meason stared at them.
As his glance rested on the American he gave a slight start of surprise.
"Who is that with Mr. Chesney?" he asked.
"Don't know for sure; fancy a gentleman down here after buying one of
the horses. I heard it was likely Mameluke would be sold; it's a pity,
he's a great horse," said Abel.
Carl gave what sounded like a sigh of relief.
"Doesn't happen to come from America, does he?" he asked carelessly.
"Not that I'm aware of," said Abel.
Valentine Braund caught sight of Carl Meason's face in the light; he
turned quickly to look again as the motor went past.
"Funny," he said. "Fancied I'd seen that fellow before."
"Which fellow?" asked Alan.
"The man under the lamp. I'm almost sure of it, but it can't be
possible in this quiet place," said Braund.
"His name is Carl Meason, a surveyor I believe; he's studying maps,
planning road improvements, and he wants to be quiet," said Alan.
When they arrived at the house and were seated for a quiet smoke Braund
said quickly:
"I can't get that fellow out of my head--it's strange."
"How strange?" asked Alan.
"He reminds me of a man I had dealings with in America," said Braund
half to himself.
"What sort of dealings?" questioned Alan.
"It's impossible of course; what would he be doing here? He reminds me
of a man who once caused a lot of bloodshed at our steel works--a
strike leader, if not worse," said Braund.
Alan smiled as he replied:
"Such a man would not be likely to remain at the Sherwood Inn, Little
Trent, for many weeks. He'd find it too slow for him."
"That's just it, he would; but I'd like to see him again just out of
curiosity," said Braund.