ance at the jump.

The easy going on the flat gave him a chance but his eyes were dim and
his head ached. The reins were loose in his hands.

From the stand it was easy to see there was something wrong with the
rider in khaki, and Eve became very anxious. Rapidly she thought of
all Alan had gone through and wondered if it were telling on him. If
so would he be able to ride his horse out, handle him skillfully over
two rather treacherous hurdles, they were the easiest jumps in the
course to look at.

Everybody was excited. Alan's condition was palpable, he seemed
suddenly to have lost his strength and with it the control of his mount.

Fred Skane looked on aghast. He knew the danger better than any one.
If Alan was spent, Bandmaster might blunder and there would be a nasty
spill. He hoped for the best as he watched with his feelings strung to
the highest pitch.

Handy Man, Milkmaid, and Bandmaster were running in the order named as
the first of the two hurdles was reached. The Baron's horse was tiring
fast, and Milkmaid had about enough of it. Bandmaster traveled well
but did not gain much ground.

All three scrambled over, their style being slovenly, quite different
from the early part of the race.

Alan swayed in the saddle, then bent forward. It seemed every minute
as though he must fall off. It was a terrible strain on him after all
he had gone through.

Eve was trembling with the intensity of her feelings, expecting every
moment to see him collapse--what mattered losing the race if he escaped
unhurt?

Backers of the favorite were anxious. They sympathized with Alan, at
the same time thought it would have been better had young Kerridge been
allowed to ride.

As they raced up to the last hurdle every eye was fixed on the horses.
Handy Man stumbled on to his knees as he landed, but Dan Rowton
cleverly kept his seat, made a fine recovery, set his mount going
again, and was deservedly applauded. Milkmaid landed clumsily,
staggering along for the winning post---beaten but in front.

Bandmaster, with the reins loose in Alan's hands, pricked up his ears
and took off too soon. There was a moment of intense suspense; then,
as the horse crashed into it, Alan seemed to be roused to make a
supreme effort. He clutched the reins, held Bandmaster together, and
stopped a bad fall; the hurdle was knocked down but the horse retained
his feet. All three were tired but Bandmaster had most go in him for a
ru