RACING ROGUERIES. 279 



Conspirator does not accept, although in one of 

 them he has only the nice weight of 6 st. 10 lb. to 

 carry. 



" He could win with that," says his trainer ; 

 "but with two or three pounds less it would be 

 real jam." 



"All right," replies the man who is working 

 the oracle ; " we must send him to run for the 

 Great Jericho Stakes in August, and get him well 

 beaten ; in the meantime he has been entered for 

 the Haymarket Handicap, the weights for which 

 come out two days after the Jericho race has 

 been decided, and then we can determine what to 

 do, eh ? " 



The Haymarket Handicap being a first-rate 

 betting race, the publication of the weights is 

 eagerly expected by Mr. Saltern, who is acting 

 manager of this little play ; and so, on the after- 

 noon of the calendar day, when old Bob Girths, a 

 waif of the turf, comes rushing into a tavern in 

 St. Martin's Lane with a copy of the weights, a 

 half-sovereign, and a quartern of gin besides, is 

 cheerfully bestowed on him by Mr. Saltem. In a 

 moment, by a glance at the sheet, that gentleman 

 has comprehended the situation — " Conspirator, 

 6 St. 51b., glorious!" he exclaims sotto voce; 

 "daren't have given him less myself" 



A wire in key is at once sent off to Sweat- 

 more, the trainer, and then the acceptances, which 

 are not due till the following Tuesday, are im- 

 patiently waited for, and when obtained, eagerly 

 scanned. Fifty-nine out of the ninety-two entered 

 remain in the handicap, Beef Eater is top weight, 

 and so the original imposts assigned remain un- 

 altered. 



