92 STABLE SECRETS. 



. Mr. James Sloper groaned in his agony. Here was the 

 truth, and he felt it. Puffy Doddles had been caught napping, 

 and the race had been stolen from him. Mr. James Sloper 

 stamped a foot upon the ground, after the manner of an excited 

 rabbit, and indulged in some muttered anti-scriptural phrase, 

 adding, " What a pot to boil over ! " 



Races won, however, are races done, and there was no cure, 

 no remedy for the mistake committed. " The Ring," or, more 

 properly speaking, those members belonging to the magic circle 

 who had opened their books against Sunshine, expressed in loud 

 demonstrations the unlimited extent of joy entertained at the 

 unexpected defeat of Sunshine. Hats were thrown up wildly, 

 cheer succeeded cheer, and a few danced like that popular 

 Ethiopian known as " old Joe, kicking up behind and before." 

 But if every medal and coin has its reverse, not more opposite 

 than head is to tail were the feelings of Puffy Doddles to these 

 noisy ebullitions of triumph. 



Threading his way through the throng, and avoiding with 

 downcast eyes the looks of fierce reproach bent upon him from 

 every side, Robert Top's best lad walked slowly towards the 

 town of Newmarket, and in every step taken felt that he, in his 

 own person, was a funeral, following his coffined hopes and 

 honours. Where was " the great Mister Puffy Doddles " now % 

 A fresh jet of tears burst forth and answered the " still small 

 voice" within, and the bearer of that name, so lately proud 

 of its distinction, felt that most willingly would he exchange 

 it on the spot for that of a departed criminal. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Dark, indeed, was the cloud which had lowered over the head 

 of Puffy Doddles, and to which there appeared as yet no silver 

 lining. His society, so far from being sought, and even courted 



