THE NOBLE ART OF BACKING WINNERS 223 



of runners. Croxton Park meeting must 

 be one of the oldest in the country, and 

 very popular with all the country side — 

 everybody goes for miles round ; and that 

 reminds me what tricks people have to 

 get off for a day's racing who do not 

 wish their sedate neighbours to know 

 they follow such an evil pursuit. 



I have in my mind's eye a very highly 

 respectable solicitor, quite a model of 

 propriety, etc., but he does love finding 

 'em, and I often go and discuss with him 

 the chances of prominent candidates for 

 future events. When this hardened old 

 sinner is off out for a day s racing, he 

 carries a legal-looking black bag with 

 him, and a bundle of blue papers tied 

 with pink tape. These he takes with 

 him to the first junction on the line, and 

 there they are carefully deposited in the 

 parcels-office, to be brought out again for 



