He did not see Peter again that evening, but the following morning the boy telephoned while Campion was still in bed.
‘I say,’ the young voice sounded enthusiastic over the wire, ‘that was pretty sensational, wasn’t it? How did you do it?’
‘Did it last?’ Campion inquired cautiously.
‘Rather! We’re all going off to the races this morning. I’m more than grateful to you. I knew you were remarkable in many ways but I wasn’t prepared for a miracle. I’m still bewildered. Do you realize that I’d had the cold shoulder with icicles on it until you arrived? But now I’m the old man’s white-headed boy. What did you say?’
With pardonable weakness, Campion was loth to cast down his laurels.
‘Nothing much,’ he said truthfully. ‘I talked through my hat a bit, you know.’
‘I have no doubt you did, old
