er two in that not even Albert
pretended that he alone was aware of it. The third fact was that
Monkey Brand was sulking.

The lads knew it, the horses knew it, Billy Bluff knew it; Maudie, who
looked on Monkey as her one true friend in the world, knew it; even the
fan-tails in the yard had reason to suspect it.

Jim Silver, who had a genuine regard for the little man, and was most
reluctant to think evil of him or anyone, was aware of it, and unhappy
accordingly.

The only two who seemed not to know what was obvious to all the rest of
the world were, of course, the two most concerned--Old Mat and his
daughter.

They were blind--deliberately so, Silver sometimes thought.

The young man became at length so disturbed that he ventured to suggest
to the trainer that all was not well.

The old man listened, his head a-cock, and his blue eyes sheathed.

"I dessay," was all he said. "Men is men accordin' to my experience of
'em." He added: "And monkies monkies. Same as the Psalmist said in his
knowin' little way."

Beaten back here, the young man, dogged as always, approached Boy in the
matter.

He was countered with an ice-cold monosyllable.

"Indeed," was all she said.

The young man persisted in spite of his stutter.

She flashed round on him.

"So you think Monkey's selling us?" she said.

Jim Silver looked sheepish and sullen.

But whether the girl's attitude was due to the fact that he was still in
disgrace or to her resentment that he should be telling tales, he did
not know.

* * * * *

The young man's affairs in London were almost wound up, and he was
making his home at Putnam's.

About the place, early and late, he became aware that Joses was
haunting the barns and out-houses. More than once in the lengthening
days he saw the fat man vanishing round a corner in the dusk.

Taking the bull by the horns, he spoke to Monkey Brand about it.

"Why not turn Billy Bluff loose after dark?" he suggested.

Monkey was stubborn.

"Can't be done, sir."

"Why not?"

"Can't leave Four-Pound's box, sir," the jockey answered, turning in his
lips. "Else the 'orse frets himself into a sweat."

Silver was dissatisfied. He was still more so when two days later after
dark he came on two men in close communion in the lane at the back of
the Lads' Barn.

They were standing in the shadow of the Barn out of the moon. But that
his senses were alert, and his suspicions roused, he