238 CHASING AND RACING 



play my airs on a silver whistle of the ** penny *' 

 variety, and she would take them down in music 

 notation, almost as fast as a skilled stenographer can 

 transcribe from dictation. 



Her beautiful mother and I had much in common, 

 and were never tired of discussing, not only the 

 absorbing matters of the turf in which we were both so 

 intensely interested, but those of the drama, art, 

 social and other amenities which appealed to us almost 

 as much. When a meeting at Newmarket was toward, 

 open house was kept at Regal Lodge, and lavish 

 hospitality dispensed to those sitting in high places, 

 who were also enthusiasts in the game. 



An outstanding personality of the turf, with whom 

 I came in contact at my hostess* residence, was Capt. 

 Machell, at that time manager to the racing establish- 

 ment of the then Lord Calthorpe. I had many a chat 

 with him and gleaned much useful information in 

 racing matters ; for the Captain was an unerring judge 

 and a keen observer. There came a time when Regal 

 Lodge and its entourage had experienced a somewhat 

 disastrous week, and it behoved us to find a safe " get 

 out.'* Capt. Machell, taking compassion on our 

 forlorn position, put up a " cinch " for us at Gatwick 

 — a two-year-old called Blackthorn (I think that was its 

 name), which he declared could not possibly be beaten, 

 unless he fell down ; and even then might be capable 

 of regaining an upright position and sufficient equi- 

 librium to enable him to slam any opposition that might 



