Making the Running 267 



' Look here, you know, don't go along half the 

 journe}^ and then drop back. My horse is a good one, 

 and I don't want to expose him more than I can help. 

 If I win a length or so, it's quite good enough. You'd 

 better back mine away — I'm doing it.' 



Jackson nodded, and stowed the notes in his pocket. 

 Thus the little plot had been arranged, though in some 

 mysterious manner the ring had grasped the fact that 

 Carnation had little chance, for she had retired to 7 to 2 

 and 4 to 1, while it was scarcely possible to back Port 

 Admiral at any price, and 100 to 8 bar three was freely 

 offered. Cecil was something more than anxious, in spite 

 of Stebbing's reassuring words. Young Douglas had 

 come from the members' enclosure to find his friend, 

 not liking the outlook. 



' Your good thing is going very badly in the market, 

 old chap. If that tenner of mine isn't on, I'd rather 

 not have it, I think. Is it done '? ' he asked. 



' I'm afraid it's too late,' Cecil replied. 'We're on, 

 aren't we "? ' he said, turning to Stebbing. 



' Yes, I've had a wire from my man to say that it's 

 all done. But don't you be afraid ! Favourites don't 

 always win,' Stebbing said, looking mysterious, and 

 Douglas with a more or less cheery ' All right, then ! ' 

 strolled away. 



The flag soon fell, and A^intager was first off', a fact 

 for which he, and not his rider, was solely responsible, 

 for the horse evidently had things all his own way ; but 

 Chimney Corner was at his quarters, and the pair went 

 on thus till the top turn, where Vintager ran out, leav- 

 ing Jackson with a lead of a dozen lengths, which he 

 increased going down the hill. Eed Deer was well 

 beaten before they had gone a mile ; Bedford on Port 



