TOD SLOAN 



broking in France being a monopoly of the State — ^the 

 Mont de Piete — it was impossible to " lend " ; they 

 had to " buy " the lot from me for ten thousand francs 

 and agree to sell it back for twelve thousand. But 

 there was no written contract to this effect. I hadn't 

 the money for some time and, going to America in the 

 meantime, I returned to discover to my horror that 

 they had sold everything. I do not know who got Mr 

 Joel's pearl, but I am inclined to think that it decorates 

 the scarf of a certain champagne magnate ; some of 

 the other things were acquired by jockeys and trainers. 

 Very few of the lot was I able to get hold of, for 

 financial reverses do not come singly. It was a terrible 

 loss to me, and one which can never be replaced. 



Just another reference to Rose de Mai. There was 

 a certain owner who was always nosing round who 

 sidled up to me on the day of that race just before 

 the horses went to the post, and asked : " Has she any 

 chance ? " 



Now I wanted to get one back at him and the only 

 way was through his pocket, so I replied, " She'll walk 

 in," and was tickled to death at the idea that he 

 might go and lose ten thousand francs. He put his 

 money on in a very clever way and scarcely reduced 

 the price at all. He must have won a tremendous 

 packet. Of course I was glad for Charron's sake that 

 she won but all the same I kicked myself for putting 

 that owner on. He never suspected the truth and 

 even said " Thank you " — but that was all ! He 

 knew I smoked cigars but I suppose he forgot it when 

 he banked his money. 



This reminds me of an absolutely true story about 

 a friend of mine who used to race in America but now 

 lives in Europe. He was in the habit of giving a man, 

 quite an amateur, tips from time to time, and the 



218 



