Too Clever 199 



impudence, too. You borrow my mare, and then let me 

 in like this. But I'll be even with you, you rascal ! ' 



Weekes turned to his interlocutor with an air of 

 affected surprise, though anyone who knew the old 

 man's shrewd face would have perceived a slight twinkle 

 in his eye. 



' You must not talk to me like that, sir ! ' he responded. 

 * I don't understand what you mean, but I cannot allow 

 myself to be abused.' 



' Don't understand ? ' Moss rejoined, scornfully. 

 ' Didn't you make me back that infernal mare, when all 

 the time you meant to win with the other ? ' 



' I think you must have forgotten your own words, 

 sir. If you will recollect, I most particularly asked you 

 if you would have your money on if I found anything 

 better than the mare you saw tried ; and you certainly 

 said in reply, " No, thank you. What I've seen is good 

 enough for me. My money on Brown Shoes, please ! " 

 I took very particular note of your words, I assure you, 

 sir.' 



Moss had entirely forgotten. All his hopes had 

 rested on the mare, though he had tried to hide the fact, 

 even from his intimate, Cartwright, and so far as Weekes 

 was supposed to know, had not a bet beyond the 1,000 to 

 40 he stood with the stable ; and he had failed to recall the 

 facts of which the old trainer reminded him. He could 

 not contradict him, but he could complain, and that 

 savagel}^ 



* And you never thought, after borrowing my mare 

 to try with, ihat you were bound to give me a hint ? ' he 

 bitterly exclaimed. 



' Well, sir, the fact is someone Vv'as backing the mare 

 heavily, and — and I needn't tell you who it was. If you 



