BLUE GOWN'S DERBY 115 



me all he had seen. We discussed what was 

 best to be done. My man solved the difficulty. 

 ** I think we can keep them where they are, sir/* 

 he said. " There's a chain and staple outside 

 the toll-house, and with a padlock we can fasten 

 them in.** This scheme was adopted, and with- 

 out disturbing our victims. 



Early the following morning I took our horses 

 to the Downs by a bridle path across the fields, 

 and so did not go near the toll-house. Sir Joseph 

 was waiting for me, and the trial was run un- 

 observed by a single tout. When all was over 

 we returned to Park House by way of the toll- 

 house. Just as we got to it, the imprisoned touts 

 were busy removing one of the windows. When 

 they saw us, and realised they were well beaten, 

 their anger was intense, and they assailed us with 

 a volley of oaths. In a general way Sir Joseph 

 did not object to touts; he used to say, indeed, 

 that it was a bad sign when there were none 

 interested in our horses. But on this occasion 

 he greatly enjoyed the joke played at their expense. 



We did not put Green Sleeve in the gallop ; 

 Blue Gown and Rosicrucian were tried with The 

 Palmer, and the result was as follows : 



One Mile and a Quarter 



Rosicrucian, 3 yrs., 8 st. 7 lb. . . .1 



Blue Gown, 3 yrs., 8 st. 7 lb. . . .2 



The Palmer, 4 yrs., 9 st. 10 lb. . . .3 



Won by a neck ; two lengths between second and third. 



