WHO WON THE KENIL WORTH CUP. 211 



very soon the horses swept past in their preliminary- 

 canter. Rosendale, in a bright pink jacket with white 

 sleeves, came first on the mare ; then Konig, a power- 

 ful, good-looking horse, ridden by his owner, in black 

 and red. Wyatt's mount attracted a good deal of atten- 

 tion, as did Hades, a handsome black. There were 

 three others, against which you might have obtained 

 long odds. 



Beauclerc made efforts at ordinary conversation, but 

 without success ; for though Evelyn took matters much 

 in his usual easy way, it was impossible to hide the fact 

 that there was a shadow of some sort between the two 

 men ; and, indeed, perhaps they were both too anxious 

 to be thoroughly cheerful. 



The start was effected a little to the left of the stand, 

 and immediately afterwards the seven horses swept 

 past in a compact body : they had not jumped as yet. 

 Except by a swindle, Beauclerc could not see how 

 Achates was to be prevented from winning; and he 

 was debating earnestly within himself as to whether he 

 ought not to have warned Rosendale of the danger to 

 be anticipated from the unexpected arrival when the lot 

 came in sight for the second time, Hades leading, 

 galloping hard ; Konig next ; Lady May well ujo, 

 pulling double; three more in straggling order; but 

 Achates — where was he ? 



"Where's Achates?" Beauclerc asked. The horse 

 could jump, and AVyatt could ride, and altogether 

 the affair looked very ugly for Dick Evelyn. "Ah! 



P 2 



