An Over-reach 341 



that Tomkins was perfectly correct as to the relative 

 form of the two horses. He had said that he had a good 

 21 lb. in hand, and that was just about the state of the 

 case. 



Skene and Addino-ton received him at the weicjhino:- 

 room door with a sobriety of demeanour unlike the 

 jubilation of the Sanfield success. 



' Odd change of form ! ' Addington remarked. ' It 

 wasn't your fault, old boy. You couldn't have done 

 more ! ' 



Harry dismounted, and began to undo his girth. 

 * It's good of you to say so, old chap ; but I don't know. 

 I ought to have been nearer at least j I expect,' he replied ; 

 and just then old Jerry, hobbling and panting, forced his 

 way through the crowd. With much eagerness and a 

 hurried ' Beg pardon, sir,' he touched his patron on the 

 arm. 



' Well, Jerry, I'm sorry you did not win your little 

 bet,' Harry said, with a rather sickly smile — to have 

 been beaten in such hollow fashion was a blow. 



But Jerry had something to say, and as he said it? 

 walking by Harry's side, as he went towards the weigh- 

 ing-room, a strange look of incredulity and surprise on 

 Harry's face gradually changed to a smile of satisfaction. 



Satisfaction was also predominant in another little 

 group close at hand. Tomkins' countenance was not an 

 expressive one, but a grin spread over his features as he 

 listened to the account Craik's friend had to give of 

 these proceedings. There was nearly 3,000/. for Payne 

 and his gentleman-rider to divide, the biggest haul they 

 had ever made. 



' That silly young bleater, Montague, thought he was 

 sure to win — he did, I tell you ! '' Going to do me 



