UPSET. 119 



answered, in his hearty, genial way. *' We shall 

 have to hail you speedily as Captain Crossley, I 

 suppose ? " 



" Yes. I shall go for the gloves, and if 

 Herries cannot purchase — and I know he is as 

 near broke as he can be — I shall buy the vacant 

 company. By the way, they say they are going 

 to do away with purchase. Queer notion, is it 

 not ? " 



'^ Can't be true/' Banks rejoined. "You 

 know what makes Herries so keen — and he is, 

 I can tell you, though he keeps quiet about it 

 —he " 



"Yes, I know," Crossley cut in. "He is 

 engaged to his cousin, and her guardian refuses 

 to give her consent until Herries has got his 

 promotion^ and if it does not come soon her aunt 

 will make her marry Lord Sackbut ; but tell us 

 about the trial." 



Banks, no whit ashamed of his morning's 

 work, helped himself to a brandy and soda and 

 related what he had seen. The race had been 

 run at a good pace, both men rode well, but the 

 bay mare never seemed to have a chance. Odd 

 thing, by the way, had happened. A girl, dressed 

 and looking like a gentlewoman, had suddenly 

 appeared at a gate and watched the finish — a 

 female tout. 



