204 HARK FORRARD! 



dare say, what a hot favourite he was for a 

 whole fortnight before the race. It nearly 

 ruined his owner too.' 



• Yes, of course, I remember now.' 

 ' That horse was stopped in the stable, sir.' 

 ' The devil he was ! and you mean to say 

 that you are not sure that the same game is 

 not being played at this moment.' 



' That's it, sir, and I will tell you why. You 

 know Fielder and Lajdtt, the men who bought 

 Decimal from you last autumn. Well, they 

 train close to, and Fielder's brother trains his 

 horses. He and Tryall, who trains for you, have 

 been in at one or two queer things together, I 

 fancy. At all events. Fielder and Layitt are 

 the two bookmakers who never leave off laying- 

 Fortitude.' 



' What would you do if you were in my 

 place. Bowman ? ' 



' I have been thinking it all over in the 

 train, sir, on my way from Richmond, and I 

 have come to the conclusion that the best thing 

 to do is this. For you to get up on Wednesday 



