112 A Short Head 



course — longish ones, I fear ; though from what I am told 

 the High Street people are going to back her, and that will 

 give us a bit of a chance to get on. She is a very good 

 mare, better than people think, and I confess I am very 

 much afraid of her, but you know how^ good your horse 

 is, and in any case I've only got to do as I'm told ; so 

 you may depend upon it that your money will be on, and 

 at the best price obtainable. 



' Yours always, 



' F. Clifton.' 



' When he reads how much afraid I was of High 

 Street he'll think what a good judge I am ! ' Clifton said, 

 with a grin. * I must leave another note to explain my 

 call, I suppose. Let's see ? What's it to be about ? ' 



' My dear Weymouth, — I just called in passing, but 

 shall be at the Drake and hope to see you to-night. I 

 thought you were winning easily till just the finish, but 

 I told you this morning that High Street was smart — 

 and I got your money on at such a nice price too ! ' 

 (Here he paused and grinned again. ' What shall I tell 

 him ? ' he muttered.) ' Five thousand to 3,750 — almost 

 5 to 4, you see ! 



' Yours always. 



' F. C 



' Well, that's what I call a good day's work and a 

 wonderful let off, by Jingo ! That happy thought makes 

 a difference of 5,000L to me ! ' CHfton said to himself, 

 with a pleased smile, as he drove off to his chambers. 



The meeting with Isaacson and his friends was not 

 satisfactory. Obstacles arose of a nature that need not 

 be described, and after an angry discussion the El 



