80 STABLE SECRETS. 



Robert Top's best lad nodded his head gloomily. 



" And if I forked out a clean hundred pound note," and as 

 he spoke he suited the action to the words by producing from 

 a pocket-book this easily transferable security, " and handed 

 a clean hundred pound Bank of England note to you, which 

 I now do, the shutters, so to speak, of your understanding 

 might begin to be taken down, perhaps, and the daylight to 

 dawn like blazes ! " 



" Do you want me to pull him ? " sharply inquired Puffy 

 Doddles, crumpling the Bank of England note in the palm of a 

 firmly clutched hand. 



" Oh, no ! " replied Job Sweety, fixing a look of admiration 

 upon each of his square-toed boots in turn. " That might do 

 for our grandfathers ; but, with the strong glasses now in use, 

 anybody can see when Captain Armstrong's in the saddle, and 

 it always leads to ugly remarks, besides being clumsy, and out 

 of elate. No, no, Doddles ; you shall not pull him, but, on the 

 contrary, pop in whip and spur, and make as gc I a show of 

 trying to win as anything in the race." 



" Go on," sulkily remarked Robert Top's besc lad ; but 

 diving, nevertheless, the hand containing the Bank of England 

 note into the secret depths of a pocket of his drab knee- 

 breeches. 



" The point is nearly reached," continued Job Sweety, pro- 

 ducing three horse beans, and holding them out in the middle 

 of a hand for the closer inspection of Puffy Doddles. 



" What are these 1 " asked Robert Top's best lad. 



" Beans," replied Job Sweety. 



" And what are they for 1 " inquired Puffy Doddles. 



"Your hoss, Sunshine," rejoined Job Sweety ; "to be given 

 in three doses : one for the third morning before the race, one 

 for the second morning before the race, and one on the morning 

 of the race. That's all, Doddles. Three beans for your hoss, 

 Sunshine." 



"And what will they do ? " asked Robert Top's best lad. 



