154 IRlMno IRccoUections an& XTurf Stories 



The ' Mystery ' Case which occurred at Hunting- 

 don in July, 1876, has been often talked about and 

 discussed by persons who know nothing of it at all, 

 and, as one of the principals, I will try to give 

 my version of it. The first day at Huntingdon 

 a mare named ' Mystery,' belonging to Captain 

 Machell, won a selling race. She was, of course, 

 put up to auction, and bought by Mr. Mumford, 

 who asked J. Cannon, the trainer, if he would lend 

 him the clothes, etc. This he did. Presently the 

 deal was turned over to Mr. J. Potter, and he asked 

 for the use of the clothes. Cannon said : 



"Certainly, so long as I get them back ; only let 

 me know who I am to look to for them." 



The next day J. Potter came to me, and said : 



" Now, Pve got a certain winning ride for you to- 

 day." 



I directly told him I had dirtied my breeches and 

 boots too often for him without being paid for it, 

 and declined to do so again — Messrs. Weatherby 

 did not collect jockeys' fees at that time — unless 

 I was paid beforehand. He said directly : 



" You shall be on ^10 to nothing, and be paid as 

 soon as you get off after winning ; is that good 

 enough ?" 



I answered : " Yes." 



