254 Makjng the Running 



were not removed from the entree dishes. He had 

 nibbled a bit of toast and tried to strengthen his nerves 

 with a Hquenr of brandy — a bad practice, to which, let it 

 be admitted, he was not addicted ; but his letters were 

 the reverse of consoling. 



• ' My deae Holme, — I would wait with pleasure if I 

 could — hate bothering a pal, but I'm rather in a hole 

 myself, and shall only get through with a squeeze. 

 Awfully sorry ! — Yours, 



' Claude Thornton. 



*P.S. — Ought not Port Admiral to win the Hunters' 

 Flat Eace to-morrow ? It's a good thing if Carnation 

 does not run, and I should be inclined to have a splash.' 



Cecil owed Thornton 120/., and had asked for a little 

 time. The next letter was of the same sort, Paul Jones 

 being a bookmaker : 



' Sir, — I should be obliged if you would let me have 

 cheque for amount due to me (335/.) at your earliest 

 convenience. I do not like to press a gentleman, but I 

 have had some heavy losses and bad debts, and am in 

 want of the money. — Yours respectfully, 



' Paul Jones.' 



The next correspondent was his uncle : 

 ' Dear Cecil, — I am not running anything at 

 Sandown. My jumpers are all short of work. I regret 

 to note the anxious tone of your letter. I see you at 

 the rails rather oftener than I like, and hope you are 

 not making a fool of yourself. Backing horses is a very 

 bad game. I shan't be at Sandown, and it would be just 

 as well, perhaps, if you did not go. 



' Your affectionate uncle, 



* Herbert Onslow.' 



