sad and gloomy
as he strode alongside May towards the stand.

Ah! but hope was not dead yet.

CHAPTER XVIII

AN EVENING VISIT

For once Sir George Haredale did not seem to be in the least pleased to
see Fielden. He was standing on the lower steps of the stand talking to
Major Carden with the air of one who is conversing with an old
acquaintance. By Carden's side was his daughter, eager and interested,
following all that was going on around her with the zest and enjoyment
of a child.

"Oh, here you are," Sir George said fussily. "I was beginning to wonder
what had become of you. Carden, this is my daughter. Major Carden and I
were at Eton together. We used to do a good deal of racing before you
were born."

The Major took off his hat with a flourish.

"Charmed to meet the daughter of my old friend," he said, "charmed. Ah,
those were pleasant days when one had youth and strength and a banking
account which appeared to be inexhaustible. Now I deem myself fortunate
if I can steal a day off occasionally to get down to a suburban
racecourse. Let me present you to my daughter. My dear Alice----"

"But I know her already," May Haredale cried. "We were at school
together. I had no idea that my father and yours knew one another. I am
so pleased to see you again. Father, Alice Carden was my greatest friend
all the years I was at Eastbourne. We parted promising to write to one
another regularly, but somehow or another we have never corresponded.
But now that I have met you I won't lose sight of you any more. Major
Carden, you really must let Alice come and stay at Haredale Park with
me. I want her for a long visit."

Carden professed himself to be delighted, and this in all sincerity. He
began to see visions of a snug and comfortable time, away from dingy
lodgings and vilely-cooked food to which he had never become accustomed.
The two girls paired off, and the Major strolled towards the paddock
gates, for he had noticed Phillips there, evidently waiting for a chance
to speak to him.

"Got any instructions?" the Major asked.

"Nothing fresh," Phillips explained. "I want you to do exactly as I
asked you, and if you can manage it this evening, after you get back to
town, so much the better. I have written my address on the back of this
card, and it is possible I may be here for two or three days longer. I
want you to find out what wagering there was to big money with Selwyn at
the Post Club to-day, and wire to t