312 WHO IS TO RIDE HIM? 



Bradon has got two horses with him I am certain ; 

 but what they are, and where they are, hang me if 

 I can find out. I have tried every tout and stable 

 in the kingdom, but to no purpose, so I have given 

 it up as a bad job." 



" Ah ! " replied a fashionably-dressed and be- 

 whiskered young man, " with all your cleverness 

 and knowing dodges, you are bowled out, old boy. 

 I know a little more than you. In my opinion 

 George Bradon is training his horses quietly some- 

 where for the Silverpool. Both are well in, and 

 the handicap has been accepted by him. He is a 

 knowing hand, is Bradon. Now, I got hold of a 

 letter written to a friend of his just before he left 

 England. No matter how or where I got it, this is 

 what he says." And opening his pocket and taking 

 out a letter he read the following: — 



Bradon Hall, Nov. 1st. 



" Dear Jack, 



" In answer to yours of this morning I am sorry 

 I cannot accept your kind invitation. I'm off on a 

 bit of travelling, for I am not at all in form. Fancy 

 my disgust on weighing myself yesterday morning to 

 find I was considerably over twelve stone — so you 

 see an idle life will not do for me. I shall go to 

 France first ; I may probably remain there for some 



