Making the Running 259 



' They've run before, I see,' an innocent young man, 

 who has been dihgently study mg a turf guide, chimes in. 

 ' They ran at Kempton — indeed, I remember seeing the 

 race — and Port Admiral won by a length. Why should 

 he not win again ? ' 



The two men who had begun the conversation glance 

 contemptuously at the last speaker, who can't tell why 

 he should so obviously be scorned, for the facts are as he 

 states them ; but their companion, more charitable, fur- 

 nishes an explanation. 



' Carnation was short of work,' he says. ' There was 

 nothing in that race. They've met since. No,' he con- 

 tinued, turning to his friends, ' I can't separate them. 

 They ought to be running dead-heats all the afternoon. 

 I never knew two so close together on form.' 



What about Chimney Corner ? Cecil thought, and he 

 glanced at Stebbing, who, however, sat still absorbed in 

 his paper, and made no sign. 



' It's good for one of these two ; there's nothing else 

 within 21 lb. of them,' the first speaker said. ' " Eed 

 Deer " — a wretch ; " Senorita " — she's no good,' he con- 

 tinued, reading down the card. "Mainsail" — won't 

 run, he was as lame as a tree last week ; " Chimney 

 Corner " — dreadfully moderate ; " \'intager " — no good ; 

 and the rest worse, if possible. I wonder if they'll both 

 go?' 



' I rather fancy Port Admiral, and Bedford's horses 

 are in great form just now,' was the rejoinder ; but the 

 quiet man, who had enlightened the ignorance of the 

 student of public form, thoughtfully lit a cigar and 

 pondered over the problem. 



' I don't know ; I should almost be inclined to pick 

 the other,' he presently said. ' She has come on a lot, 



