156 EACECOUKSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



third favourite I've got to back this time, and I 

 don't know which that is. Say a couple of 

 pounds — say three — no, let's make it five. Oh, 

 dear, dear me ! Yes, let's make it five. Oh, 

 dear ! " and the little man wiped his forehead, 

 to which excitement had brought perspiration, 

 " You can't be always right ! " he added. 



"No; but I think I'm right this time," 

 Capper answered, gulping down a glass of brandy 

 which he had ordered, and lighting a cigar at 

 the candle near him. " Jupiter's the horse I'm 

 for to-day." 



At this moment an unexpected occurrence 

 took place. Frank Parker opened the door and 

 walked in, amidst a chorus of welcome and 

 wonder, for the young fellow had been wonder- 

 fully popular, and his cheery face — not so cheery 

 now as it used to be — had been much missed. 

 Swaynton made room for him, however, and it 

 was evident, indeed, that he had been expecting 

 Frank. He and Capper exchanged a very curt 

 nod of acknowledgment, for there had been no 

 open quarrel between them ; and then Frank 

 had to explain where he had been and what he 

 had been doing ; and last, but not least, what he 

 would take to drink. But drink usually implied 

 the summoning of Kitty, and much as he wanted 

 to see her, he yet somehow or other hoped that 



