114 THE DEAD HEAT 



ster. Sit well down on Screwdriver, hold him 

 together, don't give a lead over the water, and you 

 will land him a winner. I know more than you 

 think ; but for my own sake I'm mum ! " 



" News for you -o' 2 ! " said the Colonel of 

 Fortescue's regiment, bursting into the mess-room, 

 where some nine or ten officers were at breakfast, 

 amongst whom were Lord Plunger and Bradon. 

 " Here, Fortescue," continued the excited old gentle- 

 man, " this letter " — holding out one — " concerns 

 you more immediately. Eead it out." 



The young man thus addressed took the letter 

 and read the following : — 



" Dear Colonel, 



" As you all know, this is the morning of the 

 race. Something has happened. For God's sake 

 ride over and see me at once. — 



" Yours faithfully, 



" P. O'EOONEY. 



" Clougli-bally-More Castle, Friday morning." 



" There, gentlemen, what do you think of that ? " 

 cried the Colonel, as Fortescue slowly folded up the 

 letter and returned it to him. " Something in that 

 — no race for a guinea." 



" Pace or no race," said Lord Plunger, " the 



