SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



on the Duke at exercise hours, and said, " Well, 

 your Grace, Avhat about your horses ? " 



" Oh, I'm going to declare with Midlothian." 



" But he can't beat Lollypop on his merits." 



" Perhaps not. But he'll beat him to-day." 



" That's a nice thing, and my money's on 

 Lollypop ! " 



" Well, Hodgman, you're on the wrong one. But 

 there ! I'll see you later." The jockeys had weighed 

 out when I saw the Duke again, and he asked me 

 if I had noticed Custance (Lollypop's rider) about. 



*' Here he is," I said, Custance that moment 

 coming in sight. 



" Custance," said his Grace, " I've declared to 

 win with Midlothian. You understand now ? " 



" Yes, your Grace." 



" And you ride Lollypop accordingly." 



" Yes, your Grace." 



" Has your Grace finished ? " I asked. 



"Yes." 



"Well, Custance, these are my orders. You let 

 Lollypop have his head, come right through, and 

 you'll win by the length of a street." 



His Grace and Custance laughed, and the latter 

 walked away to his horse. " Well, Hodgman," said 

 the Duke, " What have you done ? Have you backed 

 Midlothian?" 



222 



