1 86 Too Clever 



for Weekes had four horses entered for the big race — 

 Jovial, a good aniroal, but harshly treated with 8 st. 4 lb. ; 

 The Caliph, a three-year-old who had shown some form, 

 but never quite done what was expected of him, at 6 st. 

 13 lb. ; Brown Shoes, a five-year-old mare that on some 

 running was let off with two pounds less, 6 st. 8 lb. ; 

 and Gardenia, a weed of no account, at the bottom of 

 the handicap, but too slow to win with the 23roverbial 

 postage stamp on her back. ' She stays ; but it takes 

 her a long time to do it,' a famous jockey had once 

 answered, when asked a question as to the capacity of 

 the mare after a race in which he had ridden her. 



' I shall be delighted, whenevar you like, of course ! 

 Very pleased to be useful, my dear Dane,' Moss replied. 

 ' You can have her when you like — and I'll come over 

 myself and see the gallop, if I may ? I dare say I can 

 get a bed at the hotel in the town ? ' he added. 



This was not in the least what Weekes wanted. He 

 knew rather more of Moss than his employer did, and 

 was aware that the owner of Smeuse had fancied his 

 mare, and had a good win ; but he did not bother him- 

 self about matters that did not concern him. His stable 

 had been out of form, but the horses were pleasing him 

 more and more every day ; only he wanted to make sure. 

 Smeuse would not deceive him, whatever her owner 

 might have been inclined to do had money depended on 

 it ; only he had not bargained for Mr. Moss's presence, 

 and feared that it would be expensive in the way of 

 shortening the price if they determined to back anything 

 they ran. Still, if you borrow a man's horse, you cannot 

 possibly refuse to let him see it gallop, and Weekes, as 

 he was accustomed to do, made the best of the situation. 



* I hope you won't think of going to the hotel, Mr. 



