er gently. She won't
sting. That's good; now pop her in the hive, and they'll all follow
her. Hah-h-h-h! That's better. Awkward position for a man to have the
bees settling upon him and getting into his hair."

"Very, old chap; but they're all gone now."

"Not quite, Jack. Don't you hear the mur-mur-mur-mur--?"

"Oh, yes; quite plain."

"Pooh!" cried Sir Hilton, with a sudden change coming over him. "What a
fool I am! I thought it was the bees, and all the time it's only the
murmur of the crowd on the racecourse."

"Why, so it is," said the doctor. "I thought it was bees."

"No, the people; and I've got to ride in the big race."

"To be sure, so you have, old chap. Suppose we go and look at the
mare."

Sir Hilton was quite quiet now, and looked at him seriously.

"Oh, my poor darling!" groaned the doctor. "Whatever shall I do? If I
got him a dose he wouldn't be fit to ride. Coming, Hilt?" he said
calmly.

"Yes, directly, Jack. Let's see. I must be quite cool and steady, and
not fidget the mare. It's a safe thing, and as soon as I've won this
race I'll be tempted no more, Jack, but settle down with the wife--bless
her! She means well, Jack. This coup will make me independent, and
balance matters. I shall take my position then, you see, and not feel
so poverty-stricken--asking one's wife for every sov."

"I see. Come along," said the doctor. "If I could only get him out
into the air. I daren't give him more drink."

"Don't hurry me," said Sir Hilton, coolly rearranging his silk and
pulling up his breeches. "I want you to understand, Jack. I'm doing
this for independence, to save dear Lady T.--bless her! A good woman.
Always been like a sister to me. Jolly little widow! And to make a
pile for you, old man, so that you can marry her, have two children, and
live happy ever after like a good boy."

"Yes, that's it, Hilt, old man," cried the doctor, desperately, for the
clanging of a bell on the racecourse came faintly to his ear. "Come
along, then, and win. Quick!"

He caught his old friend by the arm to get him out at all hazards; but
it was like touching a spring which set free a lid in the poor fellow's
brain.

For, with a fierce cry--which brought the perspiration out in great
drops over the trainer's face where he listened and watched--Sir Hilton
began rushing about the hall again, cutting and slashing furiously.

"Here they are again," he cried; "thousands--millions of th