anything--a receipt, or--"

Faust heard this and laughed derisively. "You won't need nothin' to show
for this money," he said.

"We'll be roun' at de back in a few minutes fer a couple of t'ou',"
retorted Old Bill. "Let's cut trough here," he added to his companion,
making a passage between the bookmakers.

Bill's knowledge of the local geography was good, and skirting the crowd
they were soon out on the lawn.

"Let's watch de parade," Mortimer's adjutant suggested, and he led the
way down to the course, where they stood against the rail, waiting.

XXXV

During this time there was a bustle of much interest in the paddock.
Allis, ready dressed in the Porter colors, had been driven to the
course half an hour before the time set for the Derby. Her face was as
satisfactorily disguised with dust as though she had ridden three races.

Mike assiduously attended to every detail; even the weighing, thanks to
his officious care, was a matter of not more than one minute. The girl's
weight was one hundred and ten pounds, the saddle brought it up to
one hundred and thirteen. She would have to ride at least two pounds
overweight, for the horse's impost was one hundred and eleven. Lauzanne
was being led in a circle by a boy, so Allis shielded herself from the
general gaze in his empty stall. She felt quite sure that nobody there
would recognize her, unless, perhaps, Philip Crane. He was rarely seen
in the paddock, but might this day come out to view The Dutchman. The
latter horse came in for a great deal of attention, for he had been
steadily backed down to the position of equal favorite with White Moth.

At last there was the summons to saddle, and Lauzanne was brought into
the stall by Dixon. Then the door was shrouded by an ever-changing
semicircle of curious observers. Allis gave a little start and turned
her head away as Crane, pushing through the others, stood just inside
the stall and spoke to Dixon.

"Your horse looks very well; I hope you win, if I don't."

"He's as good as we could make him," answered the Trainer, as he
adjusted the weight cloth.

"Is Miss Porter here?" were Crane's next words, quite in the tone of a
casually interested friend.

"She may be in the stand," Dixon answered, without turning his head.
Mike had deliberately interposed his body between Allis and the doorway.
To the girl's relief, without further comment, Crane quietly moved away.

"Excuse me, Al, fer standin' in front av ye,