UPSET. 127 



and at once asked him if lie wanted to back his 

 horse. 



" They'll lay me no price," Clive answered. 

 " Considering how the favourite and two or 

 three others are backed, there ought to be some 

 odds forthcoming." 



For a moment the wily Aston reflected. If 

 Herries wanted to back his horse might it not be 

 better than it seemed ? But he was quickly 

 convinced again. No doubt the trial which 

 Banks had watched was run against some old 

 chaser, and, though beaten, Herries might 

 reflect — with the sanguine vanity of youth — that 

 even though defeated the performance was good 

 enough to give him a chance in a regimental 

 race ; for, of course, he could not know what kind 

 of a horse he had to meet in Eed Kover, even if 

 this Heartsease could hold her own with animals 

 like the Countess and St. Patrick, or a decent 

 jumper like Bay Bessie. Laying against Hearts- 

 ease must certainly be safe, Aston thought, and 

 determined to be liberal, 



"Well, what do you want to do? I'll lay 

 you jeOOO to £100, for I tell you frankly I don't 

 think you'll win it. Bay Bessie is the stamp of 

 horse I like to stand in a race of the sort, a beast 

 that has been at the game before and is certain 

 to get through," Sir Thomas said. 



