Too Clever 191 



Weekes replied, while Dane again thanked the owner of 

 Smeuse for lending her to enable them to find this out. 



' And now, Mr. Moss,' Weekes continued, looking 

 grave, ' I needn't ask you not to speak of this ; you'll 

 like to back our horse, no doubt, and if you'll tell us 

 what you wish, the money shall go on with ours.' 



' I need hardly say I sha'n't speak to a soul about it. 

 Thanks ! If I may stand in with you, I should like to 

 back it, of course. I don't bet much now — it's a luxury 

 I can't afford. I rarely have more than a tenner or so 

 on ; but I'm sure this is good, and I should like to stand 

 in a pony.' 



' Certainly, sir,' Weekes replied ; ' but are you sure 

 that's as much as you'd like to have ? ' 



' Well, you might get 1000 to BO, I should think, as 

 they are backing old Jovial and the favourites are at a 

 short price ; or 1000 to 40, at any rate. If you can do 

 that and let me stand to win a thousand, I shall think 

 you're very kind,' Moss answered. 



' By all means, sir,' was Weekes's reply ; ' and,' he 

 added, 'if we should find a better at the weights, shall 

 we put your pony on that ? ' 



' No, thank you ! ' Moss replied. ' What I've seen's 

 good enough for me. My money on Brown Shoes, 

 please ! ' and something like a faini sneer curled his 

 lip, for this was exactly the sort of thing, he thought, he 

 would have said himself lest a stranger, such as he 

 was here, should be too confident, and back the winner 

 of the trial on his own account as well as standing in 

 with the stable. 



'Very well, sir ; just as you like; but I shall most 

 probably have another feel at them before the day,' 

 Weekes replied. 



