58 STABLE SECRETS. 



Puffy Doclclles gave a sob, as if his breath had been suddenly 

 taken away. 



" Sit back in your saddle, as if sawing his head ofiV' con- 

 tinued Mr. James Sloper ; " but keep your heels in his ribs, and 

 don't pull him." 



Robert Top's best lad began to speculate, under these cir- 

 cumstances, where he should arrive at last. 



" When across the arable, and it will fly as you go, I know," 

 said Mr. James Sloper, seeing, in his mind's eye, the clouds of 

 dust which must be left in Sunshine's track, " keep on over the 

 Downs ; and upon reaching the top of One Tree Hill, go gingerly 

 down the slope, and then stop him as soon as ye can." 



The instructions appeared to be complete ; but Puffy Doddles 

 still remained in an attitude of profound attention. 



" You'll not let him really get away with you % '" said Mr. 

 James Sloper, in the form of a question. 



" He'll not try, sir," briefly replied Robert Top's best lad, 

 with his eyes fixed upon the floor of the box. 



" I know that you can do anything with the 'oss," added 

 Sunshine's trainer. " Mind, and do this ; and do it well." 



Puffy Doddles made a practical reference to the duck's tail, 

 and sighed deeply. 



CHAPTER XL 



Great was the commotion in the sporting world. Messages 

 were sent flying along " the wires " to the effect that " Sunshine 

 had run away with the lad at exercise, and pulled up dead 

 lame." Tempting baits were offered by the bookmakers on 

 the spot. Instead of five to two being the quoted market 

 price, six, seven, and even eight to one went begging. Such, 

 at least, was the " official report " of the odds offered against 

 Sunshine upon the intelligence being received of his having 

 "run away with the lad at exercise," 



