CHASING AND RACING 253 



me that he was sending a string of five to 

 Newton, and expected to win a race with each one 

 of them. 



" I believe you are fond of dabbling in accumu- 

 lators,'* he said. ** Here's your chance, Captain, to 

 pack up a parcel." 



I took his advice, and coupled up his lot in doubles 

 and trebles in all sorts of combinations. 



It was the time of the 'Varsity Cricket Match, a 

 contest which I never miss if I can help it. At my 

 best I was only a third rater with leather or willow ; 

 but I love the game, and consider myself a fair critic 

 thereof. 



Well, I kept buying evening papers as each issue 

 was published and distributed. Sure enough Honest 

 John's little lot " clicked " monotonously, with only 

 one exception. What was due to me was quite beyond 

 mental calculation. I was, naturally enough, elated 

 at first, and so was a dearly beloved friend who was 

 with me. 



" Cockie, dear, this is splendid ! " she enthused. 



A dead weight fell on my exuberance. 



** Yes, sweetheart, a great deal too good^ I'm afraid," 

 I answered gloomily. And I was right ! My pre- 

 sentiment proved miserably well founded, for my S.P. 

 merchant ** did a guy " and " beat it," as the Yanks 

 say, and I was left lamenting ! I had won over ;^3000 

 (and no single bet over ;^5), and all I could lay hands 

 on was a bare deal table and a rickety chair, left in the 



