A Lucky Mistake 217 



and I do hope and believe that it's all right — though I 

 hate dashes ! ' 



' Yes, I'll tell him. That will be 1,500Z. altogether— 

 and if it does come off, by Jove ! I shall be happy ! It'll 

 seem too good to be true. But come on, let's go and 

 dress, it's more than half-past seven.' 



CHAPTEK II 



It was happily fine weather next day, and though the 

 Meadshire meeting is not one of the chief events of the 

 racing year, the attendance was very good. The handicap 

 was the third event on the card, and the horses were already 

 being led round and round preparatory to saddling. 



' What's that bay ? It isn't Catapult, is it ? ' a man 

 of horsey aspect inquired of his companion, just as 

 Cranleigh and Ashdown joined the circle. 



' No. It's Eoquelaure. Deuced good-looking horse, 

 I call him. He ran well, too, at Newmarket in the 

 spring,' the other rejoined. 



' 'Pon my w^ord he is a nice horse. I don't see 

 anything I like better, to look at. He won't beat the 

 favourite, though, I fancy.' 



' Oh no — no chance — I think he's sure to run into a 

 i^lace, though, and I shall have a pony on one, two, three, 

 I think,' said his companion. 



Ashdown glanced at Cranleigh and smiled. It is 

 pleasant to find other people admiring the horse you 

 want to win, and Cranleigh and Ashdown had each con- 

 vinced themselves that the favourite. Maid of the Mill, 

 was a very bad animal. Her form in the book was good 

 enough, but they knew that the victory on which her 



