“Thanks,” said Acton, with a slight grimace at Jack’s advice.  “But, all the same, I have to deal through Raffles.”

“Then write to the fellow.”

“I don’t know—­I’ve forgotten his address.”

“Well, I’m hanged if I understand it!” said Jack, lost in astonishment.  “If you don’t know it, and your bookmaker will only bet through Raffles, you are in a hole—­a marvellously deep one.”

“There’s only one way out—­find Raffles.”

“And that you can’t do.”

“And that I think I can do by going to London.”

“Well, we’re off for the holidays on Tuesday, and you can find Raffles then.”

“I should be hopelessly too late if I waited till then.  It would be almost ruinous to be put on to Pocket Book in a day’s time.  I must hedge to-night.”

“To-night?” said Jack, in a complete fog.  “And you haven’t found Raffles!”

“No, but I think I know where to find him to-night.  You know the Coon is having a match with the Battersea Beauty at the Universal Sporting Club, and Raffles is pretty sure to be there, and I must see him then.”

“But that means going to London, Acton.”

“Certainly.”

“And Corker would expel you—­even you.”

“Without a doubt—­if he finds out.”

“There’s a chance that he may.”

“Certainly, but it’s a mighty slender one, and in any case I mean to—­I must—­risk it.”

“I’m awfully sorry for you.”

“Now, Jack, I want you to listen to me,” said Acton, very gravely, and his voice showed his genuine anxiety.  “The Coon’s match does not commence until eleven o’clock at night, because an awful lot of the Universal Sporters are actors and they cannot get away before that time at earliest.  Now, there are two entrances for the members into the club, one in Pelican Street and the other in Ridge Street.  Raffles must enter by one or the other, and there must be some one at each doorway to give him my note.  I can take the one, and the question is—­who will take the second doorway?”

“Not I, Acton,” said Jack, in a blue funk.  “Please, Acton, don’t ask me.”

“Jack, believe me, you were the last person I wanted to ask.  I would have asked Worcester or Chalmers if it had been any good, but they would not know Raffles from Adam.  It is ten thousand pities, but you are the only fellow who knows Raffles here.  No one else has ever set eyes on him.”

“Acton, it means expulsion,” said Jack, hoarsely.

“Certainly for me if I’m caught, but, of course, I’ve no idea of being caught.  Jack, I’m not going to ask you to come with me.  I shall think no worse of you if you say you won’t come, and I cannot take advantage over you to force you against your own wish, because I lent you money.  Don’t think so meanly of me.”

“Acton,” said Jack, sweating drops of terror, “it is expulsion if we’re caught.”

“Jack,” said Acton, “have you ever known me to fail yet in anything I undertake?”