A Short Head 113 



Dorado ^Yas abandoned ; but under existing circum- 

 stances, Clifton's robber}^ to call it by its right name, 

 having set him on his legs as he fondly imagined, he 

 cared little for the other business, and was in no way 

 depressed when he went into the Junior Drake and 

 ordered his dinner. 



* Had a good day ? ' someone inquired as he passed 

 down the room. ' That must have been a near thing. 

 I wonder what Weymouth did about his horse.' 



' You had better satisfy your wonder by asking him, 

 for there he is,' someone else broke in, as Weymouth 

 and Harvey entered the room. ' Well, old chap, did you 

 have a plunge ? ' the speaker continued, as Weymouth 

 approached him. 



' Oh, I backed it — thought it was sure to be there or 

 thereabouts,' the ow^ner ol Bowsprit answered ; and then, 

 going up to Clifton, he quietly said, ' I've just got your 

 letter. I'm awfully obliged for the trouble you've taken. 

 You did it well, too. I can't think how you got on at 

 the price ! I made sure this morning when I wrote that 

 they wouldn't take less than 5 to 2, but the colt was so 

 well and it looked so good that I felt bound to run.' 



Clifton thought that Weymouth took it all very 

 kindly ; but then, why should he not do so ? He had 

 been winning lately, Clifton knew, and money was of 

 no importance to him. 



' He certainly looked a picture,' Clifton rejoined, ' but 

 High Street is very useful, you know. I told you so in 

 my note this morning.' 



' Yes. That's why I'm not disheartened,' Weymouth 

 answered, ' though I certainly did think — made sure — 

 Bowsprit would win in a canter. It must have been 

 close. Were you down at the post ? ' 



I 



