72 STABLE SECRETS 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Lavish was the praise bestowed upon Puffy Doddles for 

 the consummate skill and judgment displayed by him in riding 

 the winner of the Great St. Leger. A finer bit of jockeyship 

 was never seen, if that which everybody said might be con- 

 strued as being correct ; and Mr. James Sloper not only slapped 

 Robert Top's best lad between the shoulders, upon returning to 

 scale, accompanying the action of approval with a familiar 

 " Well done ! " but added, " Before you're much older, you'll find 

 yourself a good deal richer." 



And Mr. James Sloper kept his implied promise to increase 

 the worldly possessions of Puffy Doddles with the utmost 

 strictness. Before the close of another day his employer an- 

 nounced that he held to the credit of Robert Top's best lad 

 a comfortable nest egg, in the shape of two hundred and fifty 

 pounds, to be delivered in part, or otherwise, whenever and 

 wherever he thought fit or expedient. 



The communication caused Puffy Doddles to gasp not unlike 

 a newly landed and stranded fish. Being dumb-founded, it was 

 impossible for him to return thanks in words, however brief 

 and simple ; and adopting, as it seemed to him, the only alter- 

 native, he continued to pull in silence the piece of hair sprout- 

 ing luxuriantly, as of yore, upon his forehead, with a degree of 

 vengeance which threatened to tear it up by the roots. 



" That'll do," remarked Mr. James Sloper, considerately. 

 " Don't pull your head off. I shall want the use of your head 

 again some day." 



Puffy Doddles felt greatly flattered to find that his head was 

 now at a premium. 



Together, and alone, Robert Top's best lad stood gazing at 

 his horse with a fondness of expression which the language of 

 good poetry might possibly describe, but which ordinary prose 

 must certainly fail to pour tray. 



