DANEBURY DAYS 



been given to the mare he would have been a dead man." 

 Nevertheless, the whole matter seems to be overlaid with 

 apathy. Now, the circumstances of the original owner of 

 the mare had become matter of public notoriety, and it 

 would probably not be difficult to show that had she won 

 her success would have gone far to retrieve the fortunes of 

 the Marquis, but at the same time the " Ring " would have 

 had to pay an enormous sum of money. On the other hand, 

 it is said, and probably with truth, that the "Ring" were 

 considerable losers by the success of Blue Gown, seeing that 

 the public had stuck to him in defiance of all rumours, as 

 well as of the public declaration of his owner ; but there is 

 still the question by which of the two the "Ring" would 

 have lost most — Lady Elizabeth or Blue Gown ; and the true 

 answer probably is that had the mare won the enormous sum . 

 for which she had been backed it would have led to disastrous 

 consequences among the bookmaking fraternity. Supposing 

 this to be the case, it would seem to be for the advantage of 

 all concerned that the matter should be allowed to drop. 

 The Days appear to be satisfied, for we do not hear that 

 they are or have been making any efforts to discover an 

 explanation of a rather surprising result. The public are 

 satisfied, being winners on Blue Gown, besides having had 

 the opportunity of hedging their bets on the mare. The 

 " Ring " are satisfied to have lost on Blue Gown, seeing that 

 they are saved from a heavier loss on the mare ; and if it be 

 true that the Marquis was able to secure some winnings on 

 Blue Gown, we can understand why he should be satisfied 

 also. It would appear, therefore, that the poor mare herself 

 suffers most ; especially as she may never be restored to her 

 former health or powers. To what quarter are we to look 

 for an elucidation of the mystery.? Unquestionably to the 

 stable where the mare was trained ; and we cannot doubt 

 that the Marquis and the Days will leave no stone unturned 

 to bring the whole of the circumstances clearly before the 

 public. The fact that their own character is above suspicion 

 gives us the greater reason to hope that they will do so. 



There could be only one reply to the letter 

 written by Admiral Rous, and an action for 

 libel was promptly commenced by John Day. 

 Happily it never advanced further than a very 



97 H 



