The Great Downshire Handicap 69 



way she's been running,' Hough said, with unconscious 

 naivete, for in truth the handicapper had not been 

 hoodwinked. 'There's only old Boatman to beat, and 

 he's as slow as a man in boots. So, my boy, there's 

 only one thing to do ! ' 



Hough took a pipe from his pocket, filled it, and lit 

 a match, while Barrick looked on and said nothing. 



' When do you start ? ' Hough presently asked. 



' I go by the 7.30 in the morning with the horse. 

 The governor and some swells have started. He rides 

 to-morrow, so he has to be there early,' Barrick replied. 

 The other looked cautiously round him, and then drew 

 from his pocket a small phial containing some colourless 

 liquid. 



'It's the old prescription,' he said, with an attempt 

 at jocularity. ' Fortunatus must not win that race, so 

 you put that in his bucket when you give him his last 

 drink, and he won't, and you'll do a good day's work. 

 Here you are,' and he passed a couple of ten-pound 

 notes into the hand of his roguish companion. ' Put 

 these in your pocket, and there's ten more of 'em when 

 Puzzle has won the Downshire Handicap.' 



' It won't kill the horse, will it ? ' Barrick asked, in 

 rather husky tones. 



' No. It won't kill him, but it won't be good for his 

 health, though it'll do a lot of good to us,' was the 

 rascal's reply. 



' Won't he show anything ? Won't they suspect ? 

 The governor's as sharp as a needle, you know.' 



' He won't be sharp enough to find out anything this 

 time, if you earn your money without making a mess 

 of it. Just empty the bottle into his water, and he may 

 win a race the month after next, but he won't for a week. 



