220 A Lucky Mistake 



chance. That race they're going on was all wrong, I 

 know. St. Christopher is a nice speedy horse ; he might 

 do us if it was a mile ; but our horse stays so well, and 

 St. Christopher can't get a bit over his distance. This 

 course wants a lot of doing, too, you know, sir.' 



' Old Hermitage will stay, at any rate,' Ashdown 

 remarked. 



' Yes,' Downs answered, in a tone that suggested little 

 respect for the horse ; ' but he's dreadful slow.' 



' Has Figtree a chance ? ' Cranleigh asked, as a black 

 mare, the animal in question, was led off to be saddled. 



' No, sir, I can't see it. She won't run her race out, 

 either. I've sent in to have 50L on ours — I suppose 

 you've done all you want to, sir ? ' 



' I've had a dash, Downs,' Cranleigh said. ' Do you 

 know how they are betting ? ' 



At that moment Downs noticed a man hovering near 

 them as if waiting for an opportunity to speak, and he 

 went off to exchange a few words. Eeturning, he 

 answered : 



' That's the man I sent in to back him for me ; he 

 took 100 to 12, but says you can't get ii now. I hope 

 he'll win for all our sakes, sir, and it'll surprise me 

 much if he does not go close.' 



' Only 8 to 1 now '? Ah ! Smith's been at work 

 for us ; but let's go and see him saddled,' Cranleigh 

 remarked, as they followed the horse to the corner of the 

 paddock, where the trainer had just taken off Koquelaure's 

 clothes. Leighton, the jockey, in Cranleigh' s orange 

 jacket and blue cap, appeared while the work was in 

 preparation, and touched his cap to his employer. 



' Looks well, sir ! ' he said, noting his mount with 

 satisfaction. 



