138 THE RACING WORLD 



men who had backed the real winner surrounded the 

 judges' box — from which the three had not issued, 

 having perhaps some Httle dehcacy about facing the 

 crowd — and simply stated that they were not going 

 to be robbed. A mistake had been made and the 

 race awarded to the wrong horse ; that mistake 

 had to be rectified, or exceedingly awkward con- 

 sequences, they hinted — with their hands in their 

 pistol pockets — would at once ensue. Here was 

 another dilemma for the trio. How could they es- 

 cape it .? A glance at the threatening mob that con- 

 tinued to gather decided them. They must 

 exhibit the right number and pretend to have 

 made a mistake — simple, but at the same time 

 rather awkward and very disagreeable. However, 

 up went the number that should have gone up 

 at first, and the three breathed with relief — for 

 a moment. For other people, it appeared, besides 

 themselves had fancied the second ; these had 

 seen it given as the winner, with some surprise if 

 with more satisfaction, and now, after having 

 counted their gains, they were to be deprived 

 of them because the judges pretended to have 

 committed a blunder. Would they stand it .? 

 Not for a moment ! Another crowd, backers 

 of the second that had received the original 

 verdict, in turn surrounded the box, and the 



