ROBIN HOOD'S SPEED
Among the group looking at Robin Hood was Harry Morby. Alan introduced
him to Ella, he thought her very attractive.
"He's a beauty," said Ella, as she patted the horse's neck.
"And he'll win the Plate," said the trainer.
"Your team looks like playing a strong part this week," said Harry.
"I hope so," replied Alan, who took the trainer on one side.
"So you're an Australian?" said Harry.
"Yes, I hail from Sydney. I was educated here, at the same school as
Miss Berkeley. She has invited me to stay with her at The Forest."
"That's jolly for you, she's one of the right sort, everybody likes
her."
"Including Mr. Chesney?"
Harry laughed as he replied:
"We, that is Alan's male friends, think it will be a match in time.
They are great friends and much together."
"It is not to be wondered at, she is a beautiful woman," said Ella.
"Very; it is strange she has not married."
"Perhaps she is waiting until Mr. Chesney asks her."
"Pity he can't make up his mind," said Harry, smiling.
"You think he'll win, Fred?" said Alan to his trainer.
"Haven't much doubt about it; here's Tommy, ask him," was the reply.
Tommy Colley was Alan's jockey. He came up wearing the brown jacket,
with blue sleeves and cap--the Chesney colors. He was one of the old
school, rode with longer stirrups than the modern jockeys, although he
had in a measure conformed to the crouching seat. Alan's friends
wondered why he stuck to Tommy, some of them considered he was getting
past it, but Alan had a knack of keeping to old hands who had done him
good service. In business this caused many a split with the manager,
Duncan Fraser.
"Like his chance, Tommy?" asked Alan, looking at Robin.
"Very much. I rode him in his gallop, he ought to win; and that filly
of yours is a hummer," said the jockey enthusiastically.
"And The Duke?"
"Good, but Evelyn and Robin Hood are better."
"Is this your jockey?" asked Ella.
"Yes; Tommy, this is Miss Hallam, an Australian, a friend of Miss
Berkeley's."
"They bring some good horses from Australia," said Tommy.
"And probably my father will have two or three of the best when he
arrives," she said.
There was little time to spare and they returned to the stand, Harry
Morby with them.
Having seen Ella to the box Alan went with Harry to the ring. The
second race was over and the numbers had been called out for the Epsom
Plate; the bookmakers were already shouting the odds.
"Craker's horse is a hot pot," said Harry, "there'll be danger in that
quarter. When Peet puts his money down he generally has good reason
for it."
Peet Craker was a big bookmaker, owner of horses, a heavy bettor on his
own animals; he had an enormous business on the course and off.
The horse in question was Bittern, a champion over seven furlongs, he
could not quite stay the mile, and he was conceding ten pounds to Robin
Hood.
Alan knew Craker well, the bookmaker often did business with him and
for him. Sometimes he went to Trent Park. He was a man of good
education, there was no coarseness about him.
"Your horse is favorite, Peet," said Alan.
"He has a big chance if he can beat yours," was the reply.
"Ten pounds is a lot to give Robin Hood over seven furlongs," said Alan.
"My fellow's very well."
"So is mine."
"I'll save a monkey with you," said the bookmaker.
"All right, I'm agreeable," was Alan's reply.
Peet Craker looked at him as he walked away.
"Wonder if Robin Hood is as good as Skane thinks," he muttered. "If he
beats Bittern he's a good 'un. I'll stand mine, but I'm glad we're
saving a monkey."
Alan put money on freely when he fancied his horses, but he seldom bet
on other people's. He backed Robin Hood to win a large sum. Having
finished his business in the ring he returned to Evelyn's box with
Harry Morby.
The horses got away as they entered; a black jacket, white sash and
cap, in front.
"Peet's luck's in, that's Bittern," said Alan; "a good start makes all
the difference over this distance."
The field came down the slope at a great pace. There were fifteen
horses; in the center was Robin Hood, he seemed to be hemmed in.
Tommy was savage. Not only had Robin Hood been kicked at the post, but
also badly bumped and knocked out of his stride when they were going.
He used forcible language to the offending jockey, who retaliated in
kind.
Bittern liked to make the running, and his rider, Will Gunner, knew his
mount well. He had not the slightest doubt about winning; everything
was in the horse's favor. Peet Craker looked through his glasses, saw
his colors a couple of lengths in front, and lowered them, quite
satisfied.
At the foot of the slope Bittern still led, followed by Lantern, Topsy,
and Retreat; Robin Hood seemed out of it.
"Rotten luck, Alan," said Harry. "He was knocked about at the start."
"Was he? I didn't see it," he replied.
"He's coming now!" said Ella excitedly.
"So he is!" said Eve. "He has a chance yet."
Alan smiled as he said:
"It's remote. He's a greater horse than I think if he can win."
Tommy Colley's hopes revived. Robin Hood was going great guns, his
speed was tremendous. In a second or two he ran into third place, then
going on he came behind Bittern, and Will Gunner scented danger. The
two jockeys were old rivals, and great friends. Gunner's style was the
crouch seat for all it was worth; he often chaffed Tommy about his long
legs. The different attitudes of the two were apparent as they joined
issue at the distance.
Robin Hood never flinched under the whip, and sometimes required a
reminder that a little extra exertion was required. Tommy gave him a
couple of sharp cuts, and the brown and blue drew level with the black
and white.
Both jockeys were hard at it. Bittern was game, but the ten pounds he
was giving away began to tell.
In Evelyn's box there was much excitement, the finish being watched
with breathless interest. Neck and neck the pair raced, and the
struggle was continued up to the winning-post. Nobody knew which won
until Robin Hood's number went up.
There followed congratulations all round. The party had won, there was
much jubilation.
In the evening Alan came round to Regent's House and found bridge in
full swing; he cared little for cards. Evelyn, who was playing,
greeted him with a smile; so did Ella, who sat at the same table as her
hostess.
Later on there was music. Ella had a fine voice, she sang well, there
was evidence of careful training. Evelyn played as few amateurs play,
and as an accompanist she was hard to equal.
"Thanks so much," said Ella. "You play splendidly."
"And your singing is lovely," answered Eve.
Ella received the compliments modestly. She knew she sang well and
there was no hesitation when asked. She found herself talking to Alan;
Evelyn was distributing her conversation among her guests. She knew
how to play the hostess, and it was easy to see how popular she was;
the men gathered round paying court to her. She saw Alan and his
companion at the head of the card-room and frowned slightly. Harry
Morby saw the direction of her glance, noted the expression of her
face, and thought:
"Alan's making a mess of it. Can't he see she loves him? He must be
blind if he can't. She'll be taking on somebody else just to show him
she doesn't care, but she does very much indeed."
It was not a late night. Evelyn said they must be fresh for Derby Day.
Ella bade Evelyn good-night as she was about to enter her room.
"I hope you have enjoyed your day," said Eve.
"Very much indeed. How well you do everything!" answered Ella.
"Glad you think so. Do you know, Ella, I fancy you've made a conquest!"
"I haven't had much time," was the laughing reply, "but I don't mind
telling you I'm out for conquest if I come across the right man. I
have Dad's permission; he thinks I shall be left on his hands, and I
don't wish to be a burden to the poor dear."
She spoke lightly, but Eve thought she meant more than she intended to
convey.
"Mr. Chesney admires you I am sure," she said.
"You're quite wrong, my dear; he has eyes for nobody but you. I
noticed it when he was talking to me to-night," said Ella.
As Evelyn had seen Alan much interested in Ella's conversation, and
never had a glance from him, she had her doubts about this.
"Don't talk nonsense," she answered. "You know very well you occupied
the whole of his attention, and one can't blame him; you are really
very charming, and looked quite winning to-night."
Eve went along the corridor and Ella entered her room. She sat in an
easy-chair thinking over the events of the day. The scene at Epsom,
the racing, the excitement of winning did not occupy her; Alan Chesney
predominated to the exclusion of all else. From the first he had
roused her interest, if not something deeper. She found it easy to
tread love's way where he was concerned; she would race along it in her
gladness of heart hoping to win the prize in the end. He had already,
in so short a time, shown her many little attentions. It was his way
with women, but she accepted it exclusively for herself. That evening
he had been interested in what she said; she had been frank and candid,
telling him freely about herself and it had not bored him. She was in
doubt as to how he felt toward Eve. He did not show any special
feeling toward her, of that she was sure, yet some men conceal their
thoughts admirably. When she came to consider Eve it was different;
they were friends, comrades of many years' standing; she was Eve's
guest, had been invited to The Forest to spend some weeks. It would
never do to come between Eve and Alan Chesney if--if there was anything
between them. She hoped there was nothing, but was not sure. She
tried to persuade herself Chesney was nothing more to Eve than a good
friend, but in this she failed. She was almost sure Eve loved him, and
if so she must not attempt to rival her. She smiled, a little sadly,
as she thought it would be a difficult matter for any woman to rival
Eve in the affections of a man; also she had a conscience, and it was
apt to be particular on questions of principle.
It was Derby Day to-morrow, there was no reason why she should not look
at her best, so, like a sensible woman, she went to rest.