232 A Lucky Mistake 



having just a smattering of racing kno^Yledge, he had 

 looked at the entry in a daily paper, the name ' Pro- 

 jectiles ' had caught his eye, and with this impression he 

 had readily concluded that that was the name on the 

 form . 



' Well, Smith, it's the most amazing and delightful 

 error I've ever heard of — the most wonderful instance of 

 the value of a bad handwriting, too ! It makes more 

 difference to me than I can explain to you, and somehow 

 or other I can't help feeling grateful to you for it,' 

 Ashdown said. 



' Nay, sir, it's not that. I did what you told me, or 

 what I thought you'd told me, and I'm glad of it, I can 

 tell you. Well, sir, I do congratulate you now ! It's a 

 curious thing, my word it is ! But all's well that ends 

 well, they say ! I must hurry on, so I'll say good- day 

 to you, gentlemen, and equal good luck next time ! ' 

 And he went on his way, after shaking hands with the 

 unexpected winnei-. 



' I can't believe it, old bo}^ ! It's too good to be true ! ' 

 Ashdown exclaimed, opening the letter and drawing out 

 the cheque. ' Seventeen thousand four hundred and 

 eighty pounds — there's no doubt about it ; but a quarter 

 of it's yours.' 



' No, my boy, threes into fifteen don't go four times ; 

 but we won't talk of that. You go on and have your 

 miserable parting with poor Ethel ! ' Cranleigh said, with 

 a smile. 



' By Jove, old chap, I never thought I should be so 

 happy again in this world. I'll go on ; but it won't be to 

 say good-bye. The Towers won't go, and they'll soon 

 have a mistress. I really do think this is a record of all 

 possible lucky mistakes ! ' 



