" NOBBLED." 87 



* I mean this," interrupted Job Sweety, suddenly closing 

 his volume. " I mean that I have laid against the hoss until I 

 dare not lay any more. It is said that I am about the only 

 man who has laid any amount against him, and if I went on, I 

 might be called upon to cover, which wouldn't be so convenient 

 as if I had Lombard Street at my back." 



The owner of the whip stood in an attitude denoting con- 

 centrated attention. 



" There's nothing, however, to prevent your executing a com- 

 mission for me," resumed Job Sweety. 



" Nothing, so long as " 



" I pay if I lose, and receive if I win," added Job Sweety, 

 with impatience both in tone and manner. " Is that it % " 



The proprietor of the whip nodded. 



" Very good," continued Job Sweety. " "Will you take my 

 word of honour that I shall pay any loss I may meet with on 

 this race ? " 



"If " 



" I can show you the means of paying," interrupted Job- 

 Sweety. 



The owner of the silver-mounted, straight-cutting whip 

 nodded again, as an affirmative signal. 



" The means of paying, then," resumed Job Sweety, looking 

 suspiciously over each of his shoulders, to see that no listener 

 was near, " are, the hoss is made safe." 



The frame beneath the long pepper-and-salt coat seemed to 

 have met with an unexpected blow in a most tender spot. 



"Nobbled?" 



" Nobbled ! " echoed Job Sweety. 



" The stable 1 " inquiringly said the owner of the whip. 



" Is in the hole," hoarsely whispered Job Sweety. " The 

 lad was got at." 



" I'm to lay " 



" Don't stop laying," interrupted Job Sweety, impatiently. 

 " Go on as long as they'll back him for a quid." 



