"
"I am very sorry, sir, but I must go," said the assistant, doggedly.
The doctor saw that it would be useless to argue, and departed in the
worst of bad tempers upon mission. Montgomery felt easier now that he
was gone. He went up to his room, and packed his running-shoes, his
fighting-drawers, and his cricket sash into a hand-bag. When he came
down, Mr. Wilson was waiting for him in the surgery. "I hear the doctor
has gone."
"Yes; he is likely to be away all day."
"I don't see that it matters much. It's bound to come to his ears by
to-night."
"Yes; it's serious with me, Mr. Wilson. If I win, it's all right.
I don't mind telling you that the hundred pounds will make all the
difference to me. But if I lose, I shall lose my situation, for, as you
say, I can't keep it secret."
"Never mind. We'll see you through among us. I only wonder the doctor
has not heard, for it's all over the country that you are to fight the
Croxley Champion. We've had Armitage up about it already. He's the
Master's backer, you know. He wasn't sure that you were eligible.
The Master said he wanted you whether you were eligible or not.
Armitage has money on, and would have made trouble if he could. But I
showed him that you came within the conditions of the challenge, and he
agreed that it was all right.
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