i66 THE RACING WORLD 



for my old horse, and I'm betting. People fancy 

 he doesn't get a mile, but really and truly I believe 

 staying is his game." 



" Thanks, old boy," Puntington replies. " I 

 rather fancy Piccadilly. Are you sure to beat 

 him .? " 



" Oh, he's a rotter ! Of course he won last week, 

 but I'm sure there was something wrong about 

 that race. He's giving me ylb., and I'm confident 

 I could give him lolb. You go and bet, and 

 don't be afraid." 



So Puntington pays another visit to the rails. 

 They are taking 5 to 2 about Piccadilly, backing 

 three or four others, and Puntington after being 

 offered 7 to i, tries another bookmaker, and is 

 gratified to hear that he can have 100 to 12. He 

 will do so, four times, giving his £50 a run ; and, 

 taking his place on the stand, he fixes his glasses 

 on the field of thirteen who are ranging up behind 

 the barrier. Flightly, rather hot and breathless, 

 betting book in hand, comes and stands by his 

 side. Nearly a page in his interesting little volume 

 is covered with bets, and he is so excited that he 

 adds them up three or four times, always making a 

 different total. This is not the moment for com- 

 mon arithmetic. The barrier flies up. " He's got 

 well away, at any rate," Flightly remarks. " I told 



