South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-02
THE WHITE PRINCE

on. you pain me when you say that Crabbe f.
our only good man. Think again. Mr. Burnett.
think again"
Burnett flushed again, and I was certain
that he thought now that Adair was trying to
rag him.
And who the hell is there besides he
said like any potman. Burnett was like that
he couldn't even swear and seem gentle
man.
You press me hard Mr. Burnett. upon my
soul, and at another time I'd be vastly happy
to relieve your curiosity. But Il occurred TO
me that before | do that you might be in
clined TO back Crabbe.' and Adair took snun.
Seth Burnett stared. and saw him leer up
at Harradine And then he laughed outright.
You mean, would back Crabbe against
anything Gloucester born and bred?'
You catch my meaning to a nicely Adair
drawled. Against anything Gloucester born
and bred
Burnett laughed again louder still. and
called for more drink.
81 don't see your joke, he said and there's
no call for me TO see Il. But I'll back Crabbe
against anything Dor nand bred in Gloucester
for every shilling I've got. And call on every
body here to prove that il your proposal
and not mine Why, man. there's not Glouces-
ter man-born and bred, you said-who could
live a round with him Damn it, Adair, thought
you knew more about the fancy, and he said
something 10 Harradine, and | saw him sheer.
"Adair was cool ice and polite as my
Lord Chesterfield, and he looked a fine figure
OF a man as he stood in that motley crowd,
looking across at Burnett with a smile his
lips
You are vastly considerate for my poor
pocket Mr. Burnett, he said But ! would
persist in my foolishness.
Look here. Adar, Burnett said. and light
had come into his eyes You mean this7
You'll betY
"Adair still smiled across Will you? he
said
"'Yes. I'll bet for ever on that, Adair,' he
said. John Crabbe against anything Glouces
ter born and bred Those are the terms?
Those the terms, Mr. Burnett What
will you bet? ! will disclose my nominee when
our little wager is accomplished. He will come
within the conditions named
He'll damn we'll have to-, Burnett cut in
and Adair only smiled at the coarse jibe. I'll
bet two thousand Crabbe That too much
Adair?
"Adair just shrugged 4 was hoping for
something more ambitious. Mr.. Burnett, after
you expressed your determination to-what
were your words ITO bet forever"
"One or two laughed at that and saw the
color fame up into Burnetts face
81 was letting you down lightly. he snarled
If you really want to pay for judgment as rank
bad as any ] ever heard Of why I'll be blithe
70 meet you. Well make five.
"'We1l make it-fve, Mr. Burnett. So that
little matter is settled and Adair took snuff
again.
"'And II thank you. Adair. says Burnett, to
keep your word now Who's your man
Gloucester bred and born-Gloucester born and
Bred?
And Adair didn't keep him waiting My
man. Mr. Burnett? Why. my man is the White
Prince
And I give you my word. Jim, that l was
never in a more silent crowd than | was just
then in that crowded room at the Kentish Hop
man. Silent the grave for time, and then
Seth Burnetts voice rasped out He was white
as paper
What do you meanT he said and knew
he was scared. What do-you-mean?'
You didn't catch the name Mr.. BurnettT
Adair drawled sweet as honey 4 said that
my man was the White Prince"
81 the temper surge up into Burnett's
face and he turned TO Harradine and said,
so that all could hear him:
Here's sharp practice, George. He wants
the Romany boy and he said Gloucester born
and bred
"If Burnett had noticed Adairs look Just then
he might have been careful but there was
nothing in Adair's words to give him the tip
The white Prince" is Gloucester born and
bred. Mr.. Burnett he said. and licked a speck
OF dust from his coat
'He-he isn't Burnett blurted out, and his
face was all notified red.
without a word. Adair walked up TO HIS
man. in that mincing way he had, and he says:
~ think I misunderstood you. Mr. Burnett
You said"7 and he waited.
And Burnett thought better OF II.
You surprised me. Adair, he said. with =
bad grace. You surprised us all, think
"Harradine cut in then, and said to Adair.
with make-believe heartiness:
I'm sure such a good sportsman as your
self Mr. Adair. will not object to giving us
proof as matter OF form
And butter wouldn't have melted in Adairs
mouth when he replied. soft silk:
You shall have your proof Mr. Harradine.
Twas only reasonable TO ask for it. You shall
have proof at ringside-proof or forfeit
Proof or forfeit Mr.. Adar. you say?
Your hearing is excellent. Sir. Harradine
Proof or forfeit, said
And soon after that. jim. we were all
on the London road again. and in the sporting
haunts that night many a good tale told
OF what had happened early that morning in the
Kentish Hopman.
II