The Great Dowxshire Haxdicap 73 



These and similar questions were rained upon Cecil, 

 who could merel}^ quote the jockey-trainer's words. 



' This Fortunatus is a stiff 'un, I suppose ? ' a ferret- 

 eyed little man asked his friend, a ready-money book- 

 maker, receiving for answer only the question — 



' What do you think "? ' 



' Chattress says he doesn't know why it's gone out. 

 I 'eard that from a pal I can trust,' the little man con- 

 tinued. 



' Ah, he's a clever man, but he don't know every- 

 thing ! ' the other replied, and someone approaching at 

 the moment he began again to roar out the odds. 



' By Jove ! he looks well enough, if looks can win it ! ' 

 a man observed to his friend as Fortunatus came out of 

 the paddock and walked down the course. ' And moves 

 well enough, too,' he presently added, as the chesnut 

 swept by in his canter, arching his neck in response to 

 his jockey's light hand. 



' I wish I knew what they think they know ! ' Cecil 

 said to his friend as they stood in their places on the 

 stand. 



'It's the strangest thing I ever knew racing ! ' 

 Howard replied. ' There's the favourite — a flashy- 

 looking beast. Old Boatman goes very short, too. That's 

 a nice-looking one of Woodford's, but she's done no work 

 he tells me. Only seven have passed — oh ! there's Billet 

 at the post, beginning to kick about already.' 



' I've saved my money on the favourite, 2 to 1,' a 

 young friend of Auburn's said, climbing up beside him on 

 the stand. ' All the sharps are backing it ; lots of the 

 bookies won't make an offer. Billet's third favourite — you 

 can get 100 to 8 about yours. If anyone else but Chattress 

 was riding, people would say things, wouldn't they ? ' 



