i68 THE RACING WORLD 



abundantly obvious — the two descend the steps and 

 wander back to the paddock. 



Forty-eight pounds out of Puntington's ^^50 are 

 gone ; but the day is young. There are four more 

 races, and he need not listen to such an idiot as 

 Flightly next time. Only five starters are 

 announced for the next event, which seems fairly 

 open, though his study of the sporting papers and 

 Turf guides has induced him to believe that 

 Red Letter has the best chance. Red Letter is 

 favourite, and the odds against her slightly 

 shorten as she canters to the post in good style. 

 But Puntington also likes the looks of Aristasus, 

 whose owner he does not know. He has some 

 acquaintance with a friend of this owner, however, 

 and learns from him that the colt is expected to 

 run well. Seeking more detailed information, he 

 learns that Aristaeus's owner has a pony on ; but 

 there is a great deal of money for the favourite ; 

 Puntington thinks this is safest to stand and takes 

 70 to 40, being well satisfied with the situation 

 when presently he hears that nothing over 1 1 to 8 

 is obtainable. It is a good race, but after a hard 

 fight Aristsus wins rather cleverly by half a 

 length. 



" I was hesitating between the two," Puntington 

 says to an acquaintance, as they stroll off towards 



