298 The Course, the Cmnp, the Chase 



that he should like to communicate with the familiar of 

 Bill Scott, the famous jockey, — and he was accordingly 

 summoned. From the very vigorous and characteristic 

 language that was then rapped out, Mr. Thompson really 

 believed that it must have been the shade of the jockey 

 that was present. He ventured to ask, " Who would win 

 the Groodwood Stakes ? " and received at once the answer 

 " You won't." Mr. Thompson was much taken aback, and 

 asked, " Why ? " and the answer again immediately came, 

 " Because your horse has broken down." As far as he 

 knew, no one present was aware of Mr. Thompson's 

 identity or connection with the horse, which did not 

 belong to him, and was not running in his name. 

 He had only been in London a few hours, and had 

 never been to this seance before, though as his was a 

 prominent figure on the turf, it is probable enough 

 that he might have been recognised when entering the 

 room. He was sufficiently impressed with the informa- 

 tion to go down to Tattersall's before starting for Good- 

 wood, and there hedged all the money for which he had 

 backed the favourite. 



On arriving at the stables the trainer was on the 

 watch for him, and, on seeing him, exclaimed, " Oh, I'm so 

 glad you have come," " I know why," said Mr. Thompson, 

 " because the horse has broken down." " How did you 

 know ?" asked the other ; " there was not a soul there this 

 morning, except the lad and myself, and I've kept him 

 locked up in the saddle-room ever since we got back." 

 " Ah," replied Mr. Thompson, " I've a tout that you know 

 nothing of — one that I can depend upon " — and he then 

 related to him how he had obtained his information and 

 been able to hedge the stable money. 



