242 CHASING AND RACING 



the Derby. Now the thing to do is to back him for the 

 Derby before he runs." Then turning to me, " What 

 can you get ? " 



" I don't know, sir, but Pll see," and off I went to 

 the ring, soon returning with the information that 

 100-8 could be booked for the great race ; whereupon 

 the Prince said he would have ^1,000-^80. Mrs. 

 Langtry declared for a like wager, and I determined 

 to take the odds for myself. One of these ventures 

 were entrusted to Geo. Cooper (the best of bookies, and 

 one of nature's gentlemen), and the Daily Mail hatted 

 Rob Lee, respectively ; but I forget who the third 

 victim was. Reuben Sassoon booked the bet for 

 H.R.H. Came that day's race, and Jeddah well down 

 the course ! We looked unthinkable things at the 

 Heir Apparent, but he only shrugged his shoulders, 

 "I cannot understand it," he said; "they told me 

 Jeddah was sure to win ! " 



" Does not look much as if he would win the Derby, 

 sir," I ventured. 



" No, I suppose not ! " and H.R.H. strolled away, 

 followed by the faithful Reuben. When " off" had 

 been signalled in the great race of 1898 I was in 

 Mrs. Langtry 's box. I forget what we had backed, 

 but it was " not on the map " as the field swept round 

 Tattenham and were pounding down the straight. 

 " We're beat," murmured my hostess. ' What's 

 winning ? How about Batt ? " (the Duke of West- 

 minster's representative). 



