2 10 SKl^TCIIKS IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



the scale came down the heavier, and Beauclerc gave 

 consent. 



"Have you hedged at all?" Evelyn inquired. 



"Not a penny," Beauclerc answered — perhaps just a 

 trifle regretfully. 



"And you think that the mare can beat everything 

 but Achates ? " 



" Yes ; I'm pretty sure of that, because " 



Before he could finish the sentence, Heidenberg 

 joined the pair, with a gorgeous-bound betting-book 

 in his hand, and fully equipped for the race. 



" I suppose you don't care to do any more about your 

 mare, my lord?" said the Baron. 



Beauclerc glanced at Dick, who slightly nodded. To 

 refuse would have been to betray want of confidence, 

 and though Beauclerc really did not care to " do any 

 more," with a stupid absence of decision of character 

 he answered : 



" Your supposition is incorrect. Baron ; I am quite 

 ready to go on." 



" Five to two, then, against Lady INIay ? In thou- 

 sands ? " and Beauclerc nodded assent. 



" With you, sir, if you will. Do you back the mare ? " 

 the foreigner said to Dick, with whom he was slightly 

 acquainted, and who answered with a bow, "In hun- 

 dreds. Baron." 



Then the bell rang to clear the course for the im- 

 portant race ; and Beauclerc, j^referring the stand to his 

 brother's drag, ascended the structure with Dick, and 



