pulation were to be found in his "store." And it was said that he had
even been known to take over a stable when the owner found it necessary
to leave the State on exceptionally short notice.

Into this odorous establishment old Robin now went and had a brief
interview with the proprietor, whose surprise at the old trainer's
proposition was unfeigned. As he knew Robin was not a gambler, the
money-lender could set down his request to only one of two causes:
either he had lost on a race that day, or he had "points" which made him
willing to put up all he could raise on a horse next day. He tried him
on the first.

"Had bad luck to-day? I lost a pile myself," he began insinuatingly.
"Thim scoundrels 'll bate ivery horse they say a man look at. It 's a
regular syn-dicate."

"Nor, I did n 't lay a dollar on a hoss to-day," declared Robin. He
looked wise.

It was not that, reflected Mr. Crimins. Then it must be the other.
Robin's look decided him.

"Any news!" he asked confidentially, leaning forward and dropping his
husky voice. This meant, generally, had he heard of anything likely to
change the chances of next day's race.

"Ur--who 's goin' to win the steep'!"

Robin looked wiser.

"Well--the' may be some surprises tomorrow. You keep your eyes open.
Dese heah Yankee hosses don' always have dey own way----"

"I try to, but thim sheenies! Tell me what you know?" His voice was a
cajoling whisper now. "They says Hurricane's--or is it Swallow's--!" He
was looking with exaggerated interest at something in his hand, waiting
in hopes that Robin would take up the sentence and complete it.

Robin chuckled, and the chuckle was worth what he wanted.

"Swallow 's too fat; Hurricane 's good, but it 's muscle an' wind an' de
blood what tells in de last mile--blood an' bottom. You keep yer eye on
a dark hoss. Gi' me meh money."

The loan-broker still held on to the notes, partly from force of habit,
while he asked: "Who 's a-ridin' him!"

But Robin reached for the bills and got them.

"Somebody as knows how to ride," he said, oracularly. "You 'll see
to-morrow."

As he turned away the lender muttered an oath of disappointment The next
moment he examined something curiously. Then he put it to his ear, and
then in his pocket with a look of deep satisfaction.

"Well, I 'll make this anyhow."

When Robin came out of the shop, for the first time in twenty years
he was without his big gold watch. He passed back by the secr