118 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



performance by draughts from tall tumblers of 

 brandy and soda. 



*' I thought so ! Here is our amateur tout ! 

 Well, what's the news ? " Sir Thomas inquired. 



" They ran the trial just as Stipling told us, 

 and Herries was beaten easily. There was no 

 doubt about it," Banks — for it was he — replied. 



" You don't know where the other beast came 

 from ? What was he like ? I suppose Herries 

 can ride a bit ? " Sir Thomas inquired. 



" Oh, yes ; he rides well enough, for a raw 

 amateur, but Crossley can give him a good ten 

 pounds, I have no doubt. I don't know what 

 the trial horse was— rather undersized, a fair sort 

 of galloper, and a very neat jumper, but no kind 

 of class," Banks answered, 



" And our friend had all the worst of it ? " 

 Crossley asked. 



"Done all round — hadn't a chance," Banks 

 responded. " I expected that he would have 

 made a better business of it, for Nipper Herries, 

 who left him the horse, was wonderfully keen and 

 cunning ; but it is as I tell you, and I might 

 have saved myself the journey." 



" Better to make sure," Crossley said, " and 

 T think it is pretty sure now ? " he continued to 

 Sir Thomas. 



"For once I really fancy it is ! " Sir Thomas 



