to serve you or not, you can see for yourself the
position I am in and how powerless I am to prevent the Blenheim colt
from running in this year's Derby. Mr. Fielden would not consent, even
if he hadn't backed the colt to his last penny. You may depend upon it
that if the horse starts he is bound to win, for in this year's moderate
lot there is nothing to beat him. This upsets all your plans, but you
will find that everything I say is correct. You have still time to get
out."

"How can I?" Copley asked. "Why, I have laid against the colt till I am
tired of it, and if he runs he'll win. But it is no use my sitting here
wasting time. I must go back at once and talk this thing over with
Foster. I never heard such an extraordinary story in my life. I thought
I was up to most of the moves, but a prophet couldn't have foreseen
this. One thing is very certain, as matters have turned out I shall want
every penny I can scrape together the next few days and I shall look to
you to repay what you owe me. Of course, I don't want to be unpleasant,
but necessity knows no law."

Sir George waved his cigar gracefully. He felt he could promise with an
easy mind.

"Don't let that trouble you," he said. "I think I shall be able to
manage. Circumstances alter cases. Must you really go?"

CHAPTER XXXIX

A DRAMATIC EXIT

May had taken her fortune in her own hands. She had, as she thought,
shaken the dust of Haredale Park from her feet for ever. There was no
reason, she thought, why she should not make her own way in the world.
Her trinkets were more valuable than she had expected. She had disposed
of one for a hundred pounds, and had no anxiety as to the immediate
future. But she was miserable enough. Lodgings seemed to cramp and
confine her. She missed the pure air of the Downs, and longed once more
to feel the exhilarating stride of a good horse under her. At the end of
three days she would have given her pride and all her possessions to be
back at Haredale. Already she was trying to think of some excuse for
returning home.

She did not know how near her wishes were to being gratified. She was
not aware that Fielden was looking for her all over London. He had
jumped to the correct conclusion that he would find her near to Alice
Carden, but the trouble was to obtain Miss Carden's address. It was not
till the Saturday morning that he ran against Phillips, who fortunately
knew where Carden lived.

"You won't find him at home