114 EACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



'^ So do T, darling ; but, after all, it's fair and 

 honest, and, besides, it is only getting my own 

 back again — if it comes back ! Three thousand 

 pounds would be salvation, and I do believe 

 there is a hope, though I almost fear to think 

 of it ; for I should get my step, and then I may 

 claim you ! But, see, there are the horses by 

 the three poplars over there. You have your 

 glasses? That's right. I arranged this trial 

 ground so that you could see if you could get 

 away. We start from where they are now — can 

 you make them out ? Over there, this side of 

 that red-tiled farm on the hill, across those two 

 grass fields and the plough, over the road, across 

 a corner of the park, and so on down the hill 

 close past you here, over the road again, then 

 you will lose sight of us for just a moment, then 

 round the clump of trees, and our winning-post 

 is the ash in the middle of the grassland there. 

 I must go, and dare not beg you to stop when 

 it is over ; so good-bye, darling ; " and after a 

 tender farewell and many murmured hopes for 

 success, Herries unfastened from the gate-post 

 the reins of his hack and cantered down a green 

 lane that led to the spot where two horses were 

 being led about, and a third figure, mounted, sat 

 motionless and expectant. 



Mabel raised her field-glass and watched what 



