210 BACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



bar two ! " came from the ring as Herries 

 strolled up, exchanged greetings with Atherton 

 and the perplexed Flntterton, threw off his 

 overcoat, and was put np into the saddle of 

 Osprey. At the same moment Crossley rode by, 

 nodding carelessly to Flntterton as he sat his 

 fidgetty horse with easy grace — he could 

 certainly ride. 



"Where's my mare? Oh, there she is!" 

 Wynnerly said. "I can't explain, my dear 

 fellow," he continued to Flntterton, "perhaps, 

 I'm wrong ; but I have an idea." 



" Crossley means business, doesn't he ? " 



" Yes, of course he does. They think the 

 race is over ; so does the ring, and perhaps 

 they're right," Wynnerly said. 



" But just tell me — is Mavis better than we 

 think ? " 



" Not half an ounce, so far as I know\ Tom 

 is a far better judge than I am, and no doubt he 

 is perfectly right about her. Well, good luck 

 to us all ! " he continued, and he moved towards 

 the mare, exchanged a word with Colvile and 

 her trainer, and was on the course cantering 

 after the others. 



" What does it mean ? " Flntterton asked, as 

 he and his companion moved off to get good 

 places from which to see the race. " It looks a 



