“Exactly. And whose doing was that but Tracy’s?”

Carstares opened his eyes rather wide and leant both arms on the table, crooking his fingers round the stem of his wine glass.

“Do the debts amount to much?”

“I can’t tell ye that. ’Twas but by chance I found it out at all. The Belmanoirs were never moderate in their manner of living.”

“Nor were any of us. Don’t be so hard on them, Miles!⁠ ⁠… I knew, of course, that the Belmanoir estate was mortgaged, but I did not guess to what extent.”

“I don’t know that either, but Dick’s money does not go to pay it off. ’Tis all frittered away on gambling and pretty women.”

My lord’s brow darkened ominously.

“Ye‑s. I think I shall have a little score to settle with Tracy on that subject⁠—some day.”