n thought of his being there. She had eluded the close
scrutiny of all the others who were likely to recognize her, but there,
within ten yards were eyes almost certain to penetrate her disguise. The
girl turned her face away; she knew Mortimer well enough to think that
if he did recognize her he would make no sign.

"That's our horse," declared Old Bill, as Lauzanne passed. "He's all
right, bet yer life; he's fit ter go all day. De geezer as trains him
ain't no mug. Let's go up in de stand, where we can see de whole show;
den we'll come down an' cash in. Say, pard, if dis goes through I'll
blow you off to a bottle of de best; wine ain't none too good fer dis
coop."

Altogether it was as though Destiny had found pleasant domicile in the
ancient clothing of Old Bill, and was using their unique wearer as a
protective agent to ward off evil from both Mortimer and the girl. As
they jogged toward the starting post Allis allowed Lauzanne to lag;
she wished to avoid Redpath. But the Indian was a horse of uncertain
temperament, and presently, with a foolish side rush, he cannoned fair
into Lauzanne. In the melee Redpath looked full into Allis's eyes at
short range. His face went white in an instant.

"You!" he cried, pulling hard at his horse's mouth; "it's you, Miss--"
He stopped suddenly. "God! I'm glad I know this," he jerked between set
teeth, as he fought the Indian, who was nearly pulling him out of the
saddle.

"It's because he'll gallop for you, isn't it? You didn't think I was a
wrong one--it wasn't because you couldn't trust me you took the mount
away, was it?"

The Indian, quieted by the sleepy Chestnut, was going steadier. "No;
it's because Lauzanne won't give his running for anyone but me," the
girl answered.

The boy remained silent, thinking over why he was on the Indian. There
was a moral obliquity about his present position; the new light of his
discovery showed him this strongly. His feelings had been played upon by
the owner of the Indian, at Langdon's instigation.

He had been told that the Porters had not given him the mount on
Lauzanne because they distrusted him. He had been put on the horse
to make running for The Dutchman. There was nothing really patently
dishonest about this arrangement, and Redpath's mind had been dulled to
fine discrimination by the idea that he was falsely distrusted.

Presently the boy spoke with sharp decision, in quick broken sentences,
for they were nearing the Starte