62 STABLE SECRETS. 



"Then " 



" Yes," interrupted his entertainer, " the stable money's 

 on, and he runs to win." 



" Glad of it," replied Johnny ; " I began to think the milking 

 can was set to work." 



" A good many others began to think so too," rejoined Mr. 

 James Sloper, taking from a breast-pocket in his coat a volume 

 which possessed the unmistakeable appearance of a betting 

 book, and turning over its jDages with a damped thumb, re- 

 peated in a slow, deliberate manner, "A good many others 

 began to think so too." 



" So help me potaters ! " exclaimed Johnny, with great 

 exultation expressed both in tone and manner ; " it was a well- 

 planned, well-worked dodge. It almost dropped me in the 

 hole, it did ; so help me potaters ! " 



"You don't mean that?" ejaculated Mr. James Sloper, 

 shutting his volume with a sudden snap. 



" I do," returned Johnny. " I do, so help me^potaters ! " 



"Ha, ha, ha !" roared Sunshine's trainer. "Ha, ha, ha I 

 Tell us all about it. Ha, ha, ha ! " 



" Well," added Johnny, " it' came off in this way. I saw 

 Sweety at the corner " 



" Sweety ! " echoed Mr. James Sloper, raising his eye- 

 brows, and looking as if an explosion of mirth was about to 

 follow. " You don't mean to tell me that thief " 



" I do," said Johnny ; " I do, so help me potaters ! " 



" Ha, ha, ha ! " again roared Sunshine's trainer. " Ha, ha, 

 ha ! To think that we got at that thief at last ! ' : 



" I saw Sweety at the corner," resumed Johnny, " and he 

 told me that he knew every guinea laid against our hoss was as 

 ^ood as won." 



" Did he really 1 " returned Mr. James Sloper, rolling back 

 in his chair, and having all the appearance of being almost 

 convulsed with joy. 



"Knowing what a deep and artful card Sweety is," con- 



