72, The Great Downshjre Handicap 



and ate up — he always does that — and I rode him a 

 canter this morning — no horse could have gone better. 

 He's walking about somewhere here. L suppose they 

 think they know something,' and he nodded towards the 

 ring, ' but what ifc is I can't guess ! ' 



' Puzzle can't have come on enough to beat us, can 

 she ? She's first favourite,' Cecil asked anxiously. 



' No, Mr. Auburn. We know the best and the w^orst 

 of her. Our horse has come on. He's a 7-lb. better 

 animal than he was when he ran last. How are they 

 betting, Mr. Overton, have you heard '? ' Dick asked a 

 friend of the stable who was passing by. 



' Three to one on the field. Puzzle's favourite. 

 Yours is going very queerly. Is anything wrong, Dick ? 

 He looks well enough,' was the reply. 



' He is well enough — never was better in his life, and 

 I can't understand it. I've sent in to have a pony on, 

 and I shall get a better price than I expected. I can't 

 tell you any more, Mr. Auburn. I'm just as confident 

 as I was when he left home, but it's very funny they 

 should be so full against him over there,' with another 

 nod towards the ring. ' However, I must go and dress.' 

 Such were Dick's final remarks as he disappeared into 

 the room, and the friends, with a last wish of * Good 

 luck ! ' retraced their steps across the paddock. 



'Five to two on the field, 6 to 1 Boatman, 10 to 

 1 bar two ! Here, 10 to 1 Fortunatus ! 100 to 8 bar 

 three ! Any price outsiders ! ' The ring was in full cry, 

 and a common question was. What could be wrong with 

 the former favourite ? 



' Is there anything the matter with your horse, 

 Auburn ? ' ' You fancy yours, don't you ? ' * Why 

 are they laying such a price against Fortunatus ? ' 



