THE CONSULTATION. 91 



" If he remains sound," returned Tom Sliybird. " I'll send 

 liim through the sieve fast enough and fine enough to pull 

 through, and that, too, right handsomely." 



"Yell, veil," exclaimed the Jew, laibbing his hands. "If 

 all goes on right, I'll go in for a good stake. I'll get my 

 monish back, Tom, and something more." 



I was now set going again, and, to the inexpressible delight 

 of my owner, my condition rapidly improved without any pal- 

 pable injurious efiects to my leg. Erom slow work I took mode- 

 rate gallops, and, standing the test in accordance with the hopes 

 of the stable, I proceeded to do strong work, and pulled up 

 after my repeated sweats — to apply a metaphor of Tom Shy- 

 bkd's — as sound as a fish. As may readily be supposed, the 

 report soon became ch'culated that I stood my rapid preparation 

 well, and from the large amount openly invested upon me by 

 my o^vner, his intentions became evident of running me honestly 

 to viin. From the position of an outsider at the longest odds 

 quoted, I quickly rose to occupy the most prominent place in 

 the betting, three to one being all that could be obtained against 

 me on the Monday before the race, and the books, generally 

 speaking, being closed at that Kmited figure. 



I had returned to my stable after exercise on the day pre- 

 vious to being stripped for this among the earliest of the im- 

 portant prizes of the spring, when both Toby and myself were 

 indeed startled from our propriety at beholding the form of 

 Harry Dale crossing the threshold of the door. My trainer 

 accompanied him, and as they entered I remarked that both 

 were deeply engaged in a conversation carried on in low whispers, 

 and from the earnest expression upon their features, I drew the 

 conclusion that the subject possessed more than common in- 

 terest to each. 



Toliy leaped forward and purred, and rubbed himself 

 against the legs of my late attendant as he entered the box; 

 but he took little notice of his caresses, and bestowed not the 

 slightest mark of recognition upon me. There was a change, a 

 great and sad change, in Harry Dale. The exuberance of buoy- 

 ant, youthful spirits, had given place to a grave and thoughtful 



