156 Cim'« Bolti. 



divers different directions, to secure such assistance 

 in his need as sundr}' kindred spirits could afford 

 him, I need not dwell on, as it will, doubtless, suffice 

 for me to sa}^ that the purport of the said messages 

 was somewhat to this effect : — 



' ' Do — you — know — dappled — grey — thirteen — stone — 

 horse — fifteen — three — six — years — must — have — such 

 — Monday — liberal — commission — answer — paid." 



How he traversed from this stable to that, and 

 from one dealer's yard to another, and how he in 

 vain scanned the occupants of Messrs. Tattersalls' 

 stables the following day, is, too, a fact, though one as 

 wholly disappointing to our friend as the search was 

 itself fruitless. It is also true that after railing down 

 to Reading later in the day, with a like result, he 

 actually was almost despairing of success* altogether, 

 and beginning to wonder instead how he should 

 ever get out of his uncommonly awkward dilemma. 

 But "all comes to those who wait," and a little brick- 

 dust colored envelope, containing a telegram from 

 Cheltenham, dispelled Tom's fears, upon his return, 

 somewhat late in the evening, to his London hostelry, 

 as thoroughly as if success was already assured. 

 To consult the A. B.C., pack up, and pay his bill, was 

 not a long matter, and in less than an hour from his 

 return he was again under steam, whizzing along 

 through the darkness by the night, or rather morning 



