andicap confirmed Langdon's opinion that both the Black and The
Dutchman had given them a great trial; probably they would duplicate
their success with The Dutchman in the Brooklyn Derby. It was only a
matter of a few days, and the son of Hanover had steadily improved; he
was in grand fettle.

Langdon's appreciation of Crane's cleverness had been enhanced by the
successful termination of what he still believed was a brilliantly
planned coup. He had never for an instant thought that Crane purchased
the horse out of kindness to anyone. It was still a matter of mystery to
him, however, why his principal should wish to keep dark just how he had
learned Diablo's handicap qualities.

Accustomed to reading Langdon's mind, Crane surmised from the Trainer's
manner that the latter had something that he had not yet broached. Their
talk had been somewhat desultory, much like the conversation of men who
have striven and succeeded and are flushed with the full enjoyment of
their success. Suddenly the Trainer drew himself together, as if for a
plunge, and said: "Did you notice Porter's mare in the Brooklyn, sir?"

"Yes; she ran a pretty good race for a three-year-old."

"She did, an' I suppose they'll start her in the Derby. Do you happen to
know, sir?"

"I fancy they will," answered Crane, carelessly.

"She stopped bad yesterday; but I've heard somethin'."

Crane remembered his own suspicion as to Lucretia's rider, but he only
said, "Well?"

"After the race yesterday the jockey, Redpath, was talkin'--to the
Porter gal--"

Crane started. It jarred him to hear this horseman refer to Allis as
"the Porter gal."

"Redpath told her," proceeded Langdon, "that when he saw he couldn't
quite win he pulled his mount off to keep her dark for the Derby."

"How do you know this?"

"A boy in my stable happened to be in the stall an' heard 'em."

"Who's the boy? Can you believe him?"

"It's Shandy. He used to be with the Porters."

Like a flash it came to Crane that the spy must be the one who had
written him the note about Faust and the change of saddles.

"Well, that doesn't affect us, that I can see," commented Crane. "I'm
not backing their mare."

"It means," declared Langdon, with great earnestness, "that if Lucretia
could have beat all the others but Diablo, she has a rosy chance for the
Derby; that's what it means. The Black got away with a flyin' start,
and she wore him down, almost beat him; I doubt if The Dutchman coul