Finally, as a convincing proof of his greatness, let it be said that
everybody has at least heard the name "Eustace Merrowby"--even
though some may be under the impression that it is the trade-mark of
a sauce; and that half the young ladies of Wandsworth Common and
Winchmore Hill are in love with him. If this be not success, what
is?




THE YOUNGER SON



It is a hard thing to be the younger son of an ancient but
impoverished family. The fact that your brother Thomas is taking
most of the dibs restricts your inheritance to a paltry two thousand
a year, while pride of blood forbids you to supplement this by
following any of the common professions. Impossible for a St Verax
to be a doctor, a policeman or an architect. He must find some
nobler means of existence.

For three years Roger St Verax had lived precariously by betting. To
be a St Verax was always to be a sportsman. Roger's father had
created a record in the sporting world by winning the Derby and the
Waterloo Cup with the same animal--though, in each case, it narrowly
escaped disqualification. Roger himself almost created another
record by making betting pay. His book, showing how to do it, was
actually in the press when disaster overtook him.