"Count ifiSolo" 195 



employing too many hands, and he preferred the 

 West Drayton racecourse, because it was on an 

 island, and he used to have twenty men stationed 

 at the bridge, so no one could go over without 

 paying. Strict orders were given about this, 

 but Bolo told his men not to interfere or take 

 any notice of those who liked to swim, as he knew 

 they were no good and couldn't pay. Things went 

 on all right, and the course was paying well. 

 All at once a Bill was about to be presented to 

 Parliament to suppress suburban race meetings, 

 and West Drayton came within the radius. Bolo 

 was in partnership with a man named George Fox, 

 and they had the grand stand insured for ^600 (I 

 don't know how they got it insured, as I should 

 think the whole structure wasn't worth ^200), and 

 by some unfortunate accident one night it was burnt 

 to the ground. Bolo visited the insurance office 

 a couple of days afterwards, and they were inclined 

 to settle the matter at once if he would take ^400, 

 but he said " No ; the place was worth more than 

 that to him," thinking they would be sure to give 

 him another hundred. Soon afterwards the in- 

 surance company got to know there was something 

 rather shaky, so they refused to offer any money at 

 all, but said they would consider the matter, which 



