AN OFF CHANCE. 209 



Has not had so much experience, you see," 

 Tom answered. 



'' Has Mavis any chance. Why does Captain 

 Wynnerly ride her? " Flutterton inquired. 



" She's really got no chance at all. I 

 suppose Mr. Herries fancied the mount on the 

 mare, but I don't know why. Ah ! Very 

 likely he can't ride 10 st. 12 lb. easily — that's it, 

 I expect. I should like to place them for a 

 hundred ! " Tom said. 



"Yes; I suppose that would not be very 

 difl&cult to do, eh ? " Atherton replied ; and at 

 that moment Wynnerly, in the crimson jacket 

 and white cap, joined the group. 



" Look here, old chap, I think I know some- 

 thing," he said to Flutterton. " May I gamble 

 for you to the extent of £150 ? It's only a 

 chance ; but if you don't like it I'll take it 

 myself, for, in fact, I've done it." 



" My dear fellow, if you think it good 

 enough, you may be sure I do, though I have 

 not an idea what you are playing at. Why are 

 you riding for Colvile ? Tom says you haven't 

 a ghost of a chance. Isn't Crossley going- 

 straight ? He daren't stop his horse ; besides, 

 I know they've all backed it," Flutterton, sorely 

 puzzled, inquired. 



" I'll take 5 to 2 ! 3 to 1 bar one ! 20 to 1 



14 



