CHASING AND RACING 201 



sufficient to justify a plunge," as I meekly put it to 

 Corfield. 



" Well, Captain, don't say I didn't give you the 

 office ; it is time I was up." And away he went. 



I was left guessing. 



I had not backed Ballroom this time S.P., so now 

 went into the ring to see what was happening and 

 approached Fry. 



" What price mine to a pony ? " I asked. 



" Five to two to you, Capting. Here, 5-2 on the 

 field, who'll have it ? " 



* You are off the line, Fry," I said. " I am not 

 backing the favourite. I want a fair quotation mine." 



' Which is yours, Capting ? " 



" Ballroom ! " 



" That is favourite. I'll lay you 100-40 or any 

 part of it." 



" Nothing doing ! " 



" Best have a bit, Capting. I'm told it's a cert ; 

 it'll be 9-4 directly." 



I took the 100-40, feeling quite bewildered. 



On all sides the " nuts " and " fans " were tumbling 

 over one another to back what seemed to me, who 

 ought to know, to be an utterly false favourite. 



By-and-by the shout was 7-4 on the field, and 

 nothing asked for, except my inconspicuous little 

 joker. 



As soon as the flag fell I could see the green jacket 

 well in the van, and at the distance it flashed out and 



