eemed out of it.

"Rotten luck, Alan," said Harry. "He was knocked about at the start."

"Was he? I didn't see it," he replied.

"He's coming now!" said Ella excitedly.

"So he is!" said Eve. "He has a chance yet."

Alan smiled as he said:

"It's remote. He's a greater horse than I think if he can win."

Tommy Colley's hopes revived. Robin Hood was going great guns, his
speed was tremendous. In a second or two he ran into third place, then
going on he came behind Bittern, and Will Gunner scented danger. The
two jockeys were old rivals, and great friends. Gunner's style was the
crouch seat for all it was worth; he often chaffed Tommy about his long
legs. The different attitudes of the two were apparent as they joined
issue at the distance.

Robin Hood never flinched under the whip, and sometimes required a
reminder that a little extra exertion was required. Tommy gave him a
couple of sharp cuts, and the brown and blue drew level with the black
and white.

Both jockeys were hard at it. Bittern was game, but the ten pounds he
was giving away began to tell.

In Evelyn's box there was much excitement, the finish being watched
with breathless interest. Neck and neck the pair raced, and the
struggle was continued up to the winning-post. Nobody knew which won
until Robin Hood's number went up.

There followed congratulations all round. The party had won, there was
much jubilation.

In the evening Alan came round to Regent's House and found bridge in
full swing; he cared little for cards. Evelyn, who was playing,
greeted him with a smile; so did Ella, who sat at the same table as her
hostess.

Later on there was music. Ella had a fine voice, she sang well, there
was evidence of careful training. Evelyn played as few amateurs play,
and as an accompanist she was hard to equal.

"Thanks so much," said Ella. "You play splendidly."

"And your singing is lovely," answered Eve.

Ella received the compliments modestly. She knew she sang well and
there was no hesitation when asked. She found herself talking to Alan;
Evelyn was distributing her conversation among her guests. She knew
how to play the hostess, and it was easy to see how popular she was;
the men gathered round paying court to her. She saw Alan and his
companion at the head of the card-room and frowned slightly. Harry
Morby saw the direction of her glance, noted the expression of her
face, and thought:

"Alan's making a mess of it