"This Ferguson has all the kale in the world. He lives in a house so big it looks like the Waldorf. But from what I hear, the bloods ain't so awful strong fur him--except his ridin', they all take their hats off to that. "There's a girl named Livingston 's the best rider among the dames, 'n', believe me, she's a swell doll--she's the niftiest filly I ever gets my lamps on--she's all to the peaches 'n' cream. "It don't take me long to see that Mr. Van is nutty, right, about this one, but it looks like Ferguson has the bulge on him, 'cause her 'n' Ferguson is always out in front when they chase the hounds, 'n' they ride together a lot. We're at Mr. Van's brother's place, 'n' when we first get there Mr. Van puts me wise. "'Blister,' he says, 'you must now assume the disguise of a groom. While you and I know we are partners in crime, custom requires an outward change in our heretofore delightful relationship--keep your eyes open and act accordingly.' "I'm dead hep to what he means, 'n' when I'm rigged up like all the rest of the swipes around there, I touches my hat to him whenever he tells me anythin'. "Everybody joshes Mr. Van about his ridin', but they get over that sudden--the first time he chases hounds with 'em ole Rainbow 'n' him stays right at the head of the procession. I'm waitin' at the club to take the hoss home after the run. When Mr. Van is turnin' him over to me Miss Livingston comes up. "'I'm so _proud_ of you!' she says to him. 'It was splendid . . . I told you you could do anything you tried!' "'Rainbow's the chap who deserves your approval,' says Mr. Van, pointin' to the hoss. "'Indeed, he does--the old precious!' she says, 'n' rubs her face against Rainbow's nose. Just then Ferguson rides up with a English gink who's a friend of Mr. Van's, 'n' the dame beats it into the club-house. This Englishman is a lord or a duke or somethin', 'n' he's visitin' Mr. Van's brother. Ferguson ain't on Macbeth. He's rode a bay mare that day, 'n' Rainbow has outrun 'n' out-jumped her. "'That's quite a horse you have there, Van,' Ferguson says. 'A bit leggy--isn't he?' "'Perhaps he is,' says Mr. Van. 'But I like something that can get over the country.' "'Going to enter him for the cup?' says Ferguson. "'I don't know yet,' says Mr. Van, careless. 'I must see the committee, and tell them his antecedents--this horse rather outclasses most hunters.' "'He doesn't outclass mine, over the cup course, for five thousand!' says Ferguson, gettin' red. "'Done!' says Mr. Van, quiet-like. 'If the committee says I'm eligible we'll settle it in the cup race. If not, we can run a match.' "'Entirely satisfactory,' says Ferguson, 'n' starts to go. But he comes back, 'n' looks at Mr. Van wicked. 'By the way,' he says, 'money doesn't interest either of us at present. Suppose we raise the stake this way--the loser will take a trip abroad, for a year, and in the meantime we both agree to let matters rest--in a certain quarter.'