WHO IS TO RIDE HIM ? 317 



and beautiful ; though there had been a good deal 

 of rain during the night, it had cleared off, and the 

 day promised to be all that could be desired. 



Bradon and Lord Plunger sat at breakfast in a 

 quiet little country hotel some ten miles from the 

 course. 



" Well, George," said his lordship, " so far, I think 

 we have managed things admirably, not a soul 

 knows of your being in England. They fondly 

 imagine you are roaming about the Continent, and, 

 to crown all, a rumour has got about that your 

 horses will not start, and will be scratched at the 

 last minute. It was a capital idea our coming 

 down here last night." 



" Yes," replied Bradon, " it was a famous dodge ; 

 so they think the horses will be scratched, do they ? 

 Well, it strikes me they will be slightly deceived 

 about three o'clock to-day. Nothing can be in 

 more beautiful fettle than the nags are, and if man 

 ever had a certainty I have one in Guardsman ; 

 although I have had no trial with him against any- 

 thing else, he is, I know, a flyer, and a sticker. It 

 will be heavy to-day, and no horse I ever rode goes 

 better through dirt than he does. Bar accidents, I 

 look on the Silverpool as landed." 



" Bravo, bravo, George ! " said his friend ; " your 

 heart is in the right place, and if we should pull it 



