212 The Life of Fred Archer 
stand about one hundred yards from the house. Prince 
Maurice, an animal that was rather fancied by some for the 
last Derby, and another bay horse, are the only occupants 
of this portion of the establishment, and we stroll back to 
the house. 
" About this period we fancy we hear our readers ex- 
claiming : ' But how about this tip ? ' Weil, well, boys, 
we're coming to it by degrees ! All in good time ! Keep 
your hair on and sit tight. We can't have it on the front 
page, you know, or you'll be reading it on the bookstalls with- 
out buying the paper ! We know your little game, and we 
don't mean to be done ! 
" We're back again in the dining-room, and sit down to 
a peach and a glass of sherry with our host. Who is the new- 
comer who has just dropped in ? Why, none other than young 
John Dawson, the trainer of Leeds, Gareth, and some score 
others, Freddy's brother-in-law, a hearty, cheery young fellow 
as you would ever wish to meet. He has just dropped in to 
have a chat with F. A., as he calls him, on things in general and 
the gallop of the morning in particular. A very pleasant talk we 
had for an hour or so on past and future events. Needless to say, 
the back-end handicaps engage our attention to some extent, 
but it is not within the compass of this article to discuss them 
now, nor would it be fair to our host or owners to ventilate 
the opinions we formed on the respective chances of the various 
candidates. But Archer made no secret of the confidence with 
which he anticipates the victory of Highland Chief next week. 
That he was asked to do something very big on Monday morn- 
ing there can be but little doubt. That he so far succeeded 
in accomplishing that feat as to inspire every confidence in 
those immediately connected with him is equally certain. 
Archer is too old a hand, and withal too modest, to speak of 
the conventional ' certainties,' especially when nearly a fort- 
night has to elapse before the decision of the event. But you 
may take it from us that he anticipates the victory of the second 
