200 THE RACING WORLD 



the start, and the four fifties will consequently ease 

 my book. He may have done me a good service. 

 On the other hand weight of money may restore 

 the original favourite or there may be a de- 

 monstration for the second favourite, causing my 4 

 to I chance which I had backed without knowing 

 it to remain at those odds or even to drift oat 

 further again. My runner's thoughtful assistance 

 may simply cost me £s^' ^^ ^^^ depends. The 

 man has acted with the best of all possible 

 intentions. It will be perceived, however, how 

 necessary it is to have a discreet and quick-witted 

 runner for the work. 



Some time since — that is a most convenient 

 date — I had a strong fancy that a horse belonging 

 to a well-known professional backer would win a 

 certain race, and observing the owner come into 

 the ring, I told off my runner to follow him and 

 see what he was doing, that is to say, whether he 

 was taking the odds about his own animal. My 

 man executed his mission — or thought he had 

 done so — and presently came to me. 



" He's backed seven horses," he said. 



" What ! seven besides his own .? " I asked, 

 rather puzzled. 



" He hasn't backed that at all — not a shilling ! ' 

 was my information. 



