our service. It was awfully kind
of your father to buy most of my horses. I hope there is a Derby winner
amongst them."

"We think so," May exclaimed. "We have great hopes of a Blenheim colt.
He hasn't been seen in public since the Middle Park Plate which he won
handsomely enough. We think he is the best horse we ever had, and people
appear to be of the same opinion. If he doesn't win the Derby I don't
know what will become of us. But get Raffle to take you over to Mallow's
to-morrow and he will show you the colt. It's only a matter of a few
hundred yards, as you will recollect, from our lodge gates to Mallow's
stables. Mallow is only a small trainer, but he suits us and is not
expensive. I wish you would stay down for a day or two. We shall be back
to-morrow night, and my father will be disappointed if he doesn't see
you. And now, really----"

"I am sorry," Fielden said. "I have no right to keep you talking here.
Come along and I will get you a cab. And if I can manage to stay at the
old place over to-morrow I will come and see you. How jolly if one of my
colts should win the Derby for Sir George!"

There was a tender smile on May's lips and a dash of colour in her face
as she drove presently to the Carlton. Sir George was waiting with fussy
anxiety. Copley looked disturbed and rather ill-tempered. They accepted
May's explanation. Naturally, they put down her heightened colour and
sparkling eyes to the excitement of her adventure.

CHAPTER III

A LIVING FORTUNE

Harry Fielden would have shirked the visit if he could, but there was
nobody whom he could trust to go down to the old home and procure the
papers he required. He was glad to see Herons Dyke again, but, at the
same time, he was half ashamed to meet the old faces. Many would have
welcomed him gladly, but he had made an utter failure of his life, and
pride stood in the way of meeting these acquaintances.

There was nothing left but the house. Long ago the estate had passed
into the hands of strangers. The stables had fallen into decay. The tan
track round the park was overgrown with weeds and grass. He was
surprised to find himself unrecognized. A dozen people passed him with
no more than a casual glance. He had forgotten that two years' "roughing
it" had changed him from a handsome boy into a stern, resolute man, with
an expression far beyond his age. Even his moustache had altered him. It
was true that May Haredale had recognized him readily eno