EMIGRATING 



three other seats were occupied the next moment and 

 we started. They got to work very soon after, and 

 I dropped four-fifths of the bit I had started with. I 

 must say that I thought the old gentleman a fellow- 

 sufferer, but what need to tell you men of the world 

 all the details of the absurdity. The venerable old 

 gentleman showed me how easy it was ; another 

 having lost his all staked his watch-chain, which had 

 to be undone at the watch end of it from a safety pin. 

 It was this, minus watch, which was the first thing that 

 roused my suspicions, for I thought he could not be 

 affluent. I kept my last sovereign. Finding they only 

 had a few quid trip, for I was the only " can," they 

 kept their manners to the end. They seemed to 

 tumble that I was no good, but were as polite as if 

 I had been the best gilt-edged sucker down from the 

 varsity. That's where they were clever. 



It was a curious experience the five-shilling ring, a 

 failure, a determination that it was no good betting. 

 Feeling in my ticket pocket to see if the return half 

 was secure, and the last race was due. There were 

 only three or four runners, and they laid six to one 

 about one of them, I think his name was E.P., but I 

 won't be sure. I went to the bar and changed coppers 

 and sixpences into two half-dollars, for I couldn't take 

 small money like that to any bookmaker, especially 

 in that infernal box coat. Rushing in there was 

 just time to take thirty shillings to five shillings 

 and up it came. A little game of nap with two or 

 three race-course acquaintances transformed this into 

 six or seven of the finest and brightest when we arrived 

 back in London. " Get a bit more towards your out- 

 fit," something seemed to murmur, and I bought a 

 dozen pairs of socks, two dozen collars, a couple of 

 mufflers, a pair of pumps, three pipes, and went home 



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