8 CHASING AND RACING 



The late Sir George Chetwynd had been presented 

 with a scarf pin by some admirer or admirers, the 

 sentimental worth of which exceeded its intrinsic 

 value ; but it disappeared from its satin sanctuary 

 one fine day at Ascot. Its owner waxed wroth, and 

 as he was acquainted with a certain doyen of the " boys," 

 he sought out that worthy and complained bitterly 

 that he, as an owner, should be subjected to such 

 illegitimate pilfering. 



" All right, Sir George," protested the " head." 

 " It's all a mistake of some blithering novice of 

 ours. I'll see you gets it back all right. Go 

 over to ver firs on ver far side, at the long interval, 

 and yer pin will be 'anded back to yer see 1 

 But you'll 'ave ter come acrost wiv' a couple of 

 thick 'uns, jest ter show there's no blinkin' ani- 

 mosity." 



And so it turned out : the Sporting Baronet 

 retrieved his beloved pin, and the chap who handed 

 it over received the stipulated honorarium. 



Later on, Sir George, having an early engagement 

 in town, decided to miss the last race and to take 

 his place in the first waiting train. Comfortably 

 ensconced, and enjoying a contemplative weed, he 

 became aware of a respectably dressed little chap, 

 who might have been a methodist preacher or an 

 undertaker on the loose. He kept perambulating 

 past the carriage, and peering at its occupant. At 

 last he paused and gave tongue. 



