son."

"Engle is telling everybody that the horse ain't quite ready,"
persisted the hustler. "Of course they don't want everybody betting
on him and spoiling the price."

"He's doing 'em a kindly act without knowing it," said Old Man Curry.
"That's 'bout the only way he'll ever do one, Frank, unbeknownst
like."

"You're not betting on this one?" asked the Kid.

"Not a thin dime's worth. It's too far for him."

"I give it up." The Kid shook his head, hopelessly. "You're too many
for me."

The presiding judge came out on the platform in front of the stand
and watched the horses dance along the rail on their way to the post,
coats glistening, eyes flashing, nostrils flaring--one of the
prettiest sights the turf offers to its patrons. "Merritt on Elisha
again," said the judge. "Merritt. Hm-m-m. That young man is entirely
too strong in the arms to suit me. It struck me the last three times
he rode this horse. But somebody is betting on Elisha to-day. That
may make a difference, and if it does, we may have to ask Mr.
Sharpshooter Engle a few questions."

"Leave it to him to answer 'em," said the associate judge. "It's the
best thing he does. That fellow is like a hickory nut--smooth on the
outside, but hard, awfully hard, to get anything out of.... Old Man
Curry is in this race with Elijah. Little far for him, isn't it?"

In the very top row of the grand stand Grouchy Martin O'Connor waited
for Al Engle. Just as the horses reached the post, the Sharpshooter
slipped in, breathless and fumbling at the catch of his binocular
case. "He was 6 to 5 when I came through the betting ring," said
Engle. "Well, any old price is a good price. He'll roll home."

"He better. He owes me something," growled O'Connor.

"This is where he pays you."

"I hope so."

"I saw Old Man Curry out in the paddock," and Engle smiled at the
recollection. "What do you think the old coot said to me?"

"What do I care what an old nut says?"

"Nobody cares, of course, but this was kind of funny. After the
horses started for the post he came up to me, solemn as a judge, and
says he: 'Remember, I told you this was a trick horse.' Just like
that. They ought to have a look at his head. He's got an attic for
rent, sure."

"Must have. But what does he mean by that trick-horse stuff? He
pulled it on you a couple of times when you ran Elisha up on him."

"Darned if I know. I guess that's just his way of kidding.... Hello!
They're off!"

"Yes, a