THE DEEBY CENTENABY. 229 



as anticipated in consequence of the fine day ; 

 and when the joke had been explained at some 

 length it is accepted as passable under the 

 circumstances. Presently the sun absolutely 

 begins to shine, and it becomes probable that a 

 really pleasant day may see the solution of the 

 great and mystic problem, "What is going to 

 win?" 



Not, of course, that the question has not 

 been answered conclusively many times before. 

 In a thousand village roadside inns the health of 

 the neighbouring "crack" has been drunk — for 

 "the rustic cackle" of every bourg naturally 

 points to the horse trained in the district as the 

 winner. From over the sea and from all quarters 

 come " commissions " in favour of different 

 animals. On the Boulevards the question is 

 discussed as eagerly as in London, and in a 

 dozen clubs every evening for the last fortnight 

 might have been found a dozen different men 

 ready to prove to demonstration that each of a 

 dozen horses must win. Armed with the latest 

 editions of " Kuff," a small bucketful of brandy 

 and soda, and a long cigar, these prophets were 

 prepared to sum up the whole matter; and, 

 further assisted by some private and particular 

 information about some wonderful trial (concern- 

 ing which very often owner and trainer are alike 



