orge
had little consideration for the public when he decided to run the colt
at Mirst Park. On the face of it, it was a mad thing to do and the fact
that the horse had won rendered Sir George's policy all the more
inexplicable. There was something sinister, too, in the close friendship
which had sprung up between Haredale and Copley. That Copley was an
unscrupulous blackguard Fielden knew very well. Possibly this knowledge
was not shared by Sir George, but there was no getting over the fact
that Haredale's money matters were in a critical state. Better men than
Sir George had yielded to temptation.

Fielden was still debating the matter when he reached town. He turned up
at the hotel in Covent Garden where Phillips was awaiting him, it
wanting then just ten minutes to three. Phillips was relieved when
Fielden came in.

"I thought you were going to fail me," he said. "I began to think that
you had missed your train."

"I very nearly lost it," Fielden laughed. "But why do you want me?"

"We shall see that in good time, sir," Phillips said. "In about ten
minutes from now we shall begin operations. There is just time to smoke
a cigarette before we start. What is the best news from Mirst Park? I
haven't seen a paper yet. Was the Blenheim colt beaten very
disgracefully?"

"He wasn't beaten at all," Fielden said. "In fact, he won with
considerable ease. There was very little trace of staleness about him.
But it is early to talk about that. We must wait and see what old Raffle
says to-morrow. I should not be surprised if the colt has done himself
some serious injury to-day."

Phillips burst into a hearty laugh.

"What a joke!" he cried. "And what a sell it will be for Sir George! Oh,
I know a thing or two, Mr. Fielden. I haven't been moving about with my
eyes shut lately. It is very good of your old friend to pull out his
horse in public, for the benefit of backers generally, but the man who
will be most surprised and most disappointed at the result of to-day's
race will be Sir George himself. If there is another man madder than Sir
George it will be that scoundrel Copley."

"What do you mean?" Fielden asked.

"Never mind, sir. The least said soonest mended. But if I had ten
thousand pounds I'd cheerfully back my opinion to the last penny that
Sir George never hoped for and never expected a victory for the colt.
I'll explain all in very good time. Now the sooner we are off the
better. We are going to meet a gentlema