n Fielden had expected.

"He looks splendid," he said.

"Ah, he is a bonny colt," Raffle exclaimed with a look of affection in
his eyes. "I never saw a better-tempered horse or a more genuine trier.
He'll go every inch of the way, and I shouldn't be surprised if--but we
won't talk about that."

Raffle refused to say more. Moreover, he had the colt to look to, for
the race was close at hand; so Fielden made his way into the stand,
where he could command a good view. Not that he had any interest in the
race. It was a foregone conclusion that the Blenheim colt would be
beaten and in only one or two instances did he carry any public money. A
moment or two later Raffle took up a position by Fielden's side.

"The colt moves well," said Fielden, looking through his glasses, "and I
don't see much signs of staleness, either. Upon my word, if I had any
money to spare I'd back him for a trifle myself."

"You might do worse," Raffle chuckled.

CHAPTER XXXIII

THE FIVE BASKETS

There was the usual roar from the ring which began to die down as the
horses were seen fidgeting at the post. Then a murmur arose from the
spectators, and the dancing kaleidoscope of colours broke into a thin
stream as the field got away to a capital start. They came along all in
a cluster round the bend of the course till, presently, there was a
hoarse shout from the onlookers and the name of the Blenheim colt was on
every lip. The horse hung for a moment or two coming up the straight,
then seemed to recover himself and, moving along with a beautifully free
and easy stride, caught the leaders a dozen lengths from home and
slipped past the post a winner by a short head.

"What did I tell you?" Raffle chuckled. "Well, they can't blame me. I
was told by Sir George to do the best I could with the horse and I
carried out my instructions to the letter. No, sir, I didn't back him
myself. I wasn't quite sure. Besides, Sir George wouldn't have liked it.
Between you and me, sir, I don't think he'll be altogether pleased."

Fielden asked no questions. Whatever suspicions Raffle had he kept to
himself. Fielden glanced at his watch and saw he would just have time to
catch a train to town and join Phillips at the rendezvous in Covent
Garden. He hurried away from the course and caught his train by sheer
good luck.

He wasn't at all easy in his mind. He was inclined to agree with Raffle
that there was more than met the eye in this affair and that Sir Ge