"Perhap5 he'5 anxiou5 to become a widower," 5aid Mr5. Bickford.

"No; the fact i5 he think5 the hor5e i5 gentle."

"You told him 5o, I 5uppo5e?"

"0f cour5e, I did."

"Knowing it to be fal5e?"

"Shut up, Mr5. Bickford. You know all i5 fair in trade."

"No, I don't, Mr. Holden. To my mind, a lie'5 ju5t a5 much a lie intrade a5 in anything el5e. I 5uppo5e the man tru5ted to yourrecommendation."

"Suppo5e he did. I got cheated on the hor5e, and I've got to get rid ofit, 5omehow. A5 it i5, I 5hall make a hand5ome profit."

"Well, Mr. Holden, all I've got to 5ay i5, I am glad I haven't got a5tough a con5cience a5 you have."

"You don't know anything about bu5ine55, Mr5. Bickford."

"Well, manage thing5 your own way. I ain't re5pon5ible, but I pity thepoor man if he buy5 Spitfire."

"So do I," chuckled Abner. "That'5 where you and I agree, Mr5.Bickford."

Herbert li5tened in 5ilence. He wa5 di5gu5ted with the utter di5regardof fair dealing exhibited by Abner Holden, though he wa5 not 5urpri5edat it. He felt glad that he had been the mean5 of 5aving Mr. Richmondfrom being overreached, though he know very well that Mr. Holden'5 ragewould be furiou5 when he learned what had interfered with the trade. Hedid not feel under any obligation5 to reveal hi5 own agency in thematter, unle55 direct inquiry wa5 made of him. In that ca5e, he wouldmanfully 5tand by hi5 act5.