70 The Great Down shire Handicap 



or two. It isn't the first time I've tried it, and I know 

 But I must be off, and I don't care about passing through 

 the town. Let's see ! The coast is clear. Over the hill 

 there to the junction, isn't it ? Seven miles ? A devil of 

 a journey, and I hate walking, but I don't want to be 

 seen by any one that knows me. You understand, and 

 you're on a hundred to nothing if Puzzle wins.' 



With a nod to his accomplice. Hough started on his 

 journey, and Barrick, the phial safely in his pocket, 

 strolled back to the stable. 



CHAPTER II 



The Downshire Meeting is one of the most popular 

 fixtures of the year, a general holiday for all those who 

 live within twenty miles of the course and want to go, 

 and largely attended by the usual army of lovers of the 

 turf, for there are always some fairly interesting two- 

 year-old events, and the Handicap is one of the few 

 races on which there is still a ' market ' some weeks before 

 the day. Lord Beverwycke is not there to see the 

 anticipated success of his colours, but of course Guy 

 Howard and Cecil Auburn are present ; and they look 

 concerned, for the horse is going most curiously in the 

 betting, and they cannot guess the reason. 



* He's not even favourite ! ' Cecil said in conster- 

 nation, rejoining his friend after having been up to the 

 rails and spoken to a bookmaker. ' I can't understand 

 it ! He was at 3 to 1 yesterday, and now you can get 

 11 to 2.' 



' What are they backing ? ' Howard asked, and the 

 answer came from the ring before there was time to 

 reply. 



