“I think it would do you good to take me into your confidence,” he said.

“Well,” said Alfreton, “it would be a relief to talk, and I feel I could trust you.  Still, it’s only fair to tell you I didn’t at the beginning.  I was an opinionated ass, you see.”

Winston laughed.  “I don’t mind in the least, and we have most of us felt that way.”

“Well,” said the lad, “I was a little short of funds, and proud of myself, and when everybody seemed certain that wheat was going down forever, I thought I saw my chance of making a little.  Now I’ve more wheat than I care to think of to deliver, the market’s against me.  If it stiffens any further, it will break me; and that’s not all, you see.  Things have gone tolerably badly with the folks at home, and I fancy it took a good deal of what should have been the girls’ portion to start me at Silverdale.”

“Then,” said Winston, “it’s no use trying to show you how foolish you’ve been.  That is the usual thing, and it’s easy; but what the man in the hole wants to know is the means of getting out again.”

Alfreton smiled ruefully.  “I’m tolerably far in.  I could just cover at to-day’s prices if I pledged my crop, but it would leave me nothing to go on with, and the next advance would swamp the farm.”

“Well,” said Winston quietly, “don’t buy to-day.  There’s going to be an advance that will take folks’ breath away, but the time’s not quite ripe yet.  You’ll see prices knocked back a little the next day or two, and then you will cover your sales to the last bushel.”

“But are you sure?” asked the lad, a trifle hoarsely.  “You see, if you’re mistaken, it will mean ruin to me.”

Winston laid his hand on his shoulder.  “If I am wrong, I’ll make your losses good.”

Nothing more was said on that subject, but Alfreton’s face grew anxious once more as they went up and down the city.  Everybody was talking wheat, which was not astonishing, for that city, and the two great provinces to the west of it, lived by the trade in grain, and before the afternoon had passed they learned that there had been a persistent advance.  The lad’s uneasiness showed itself, but when they went back to the hotel about the supper hour Winston smiled at him.

“You’re feeling sick?” he said.  “Still, I don’t fancy you need worry.”

Then Graham appeared and claimed him, and it was next morning when he saw Alfreton again.  He was breakfasting with Colonel Barrington and Dane, and Winston noticed that the older man did not appear to have much appetite.  When the meal was finished he drew him aside.

“You have covered your sales, sir?” he asked.

“No, sir,” said Barrington.  “I have not.”

“Then I wonder whether it would be presumption if I asked you a question?”

Barrington looked at him steadily.  “To be frank, I fancy it would be better if you did not.  I have, of course, only my own folly to blame for believing I could equal your natural aptitude for this risky amusement which I had, and still have, objections to.  I was, however, in need of money, and seeing your success, yielded to the temptation.  I am not laying any of the responsibility on you, but am not inclined to listen to more of your suggestions.”