"Hang him, I believe he knows something about her and he won't enlighten me. He can keep it to himself. If she wins I'll pay him out in some way or other," muttered Fletcher. Brack had never been in Tattersalls before. The noise, the crush, the yelling of odds, the struggle to get money on, amazed him. He wondered if all the people had suddenly gone mad. He had five pounds in his hands, he knew enough about betting to know what to do. "What are you layin' Tearaway?" he asked a man on the rails. The bookmaker looked at him and smiled. "Twenty to one," he said. "I'll have five pounds on," said Brack. "A hundred to five Tearaway," said the bookmaker, and his clerk booked it. "What name?" he asked. "Brack, but you'd better give me a ticket." "As you please," and he handed him one. There was a lull in the row for a moment and the bookmaker said to him: "You don't often go to the races, eh?" "No, not often," said Brack. "A seaman?" "Yes." "Where do you hail from? I've a son at sea." "I'm a boat owner at Torquay; I used to be at Scarborough." "Yorkshireman?" "Yes." "You seem a good sort. Who told you to back Tearaway?" "Never mind that. I fancy it," said Brack. "Somebody must have told you," persisted the man. "Well, if you want to know and it'll do you any good, the owner told me," said Brack. The bookmaker laughed. "You're a cute 'un," he said. "The owner, eh? Mr. Woodridge. I suppose you're a friend of his?" "I am." "Good, you'll do. I hope I have to pay you the hundred; it will suit my book," laughed the bookmaker. "Don't believe me, eh?" muttered Brack as he walked away. "You'll maybe have a better opinion of me after Tearaway's won." CHAPTER XXIV "BY JOVE, SHE'S WONDERFUL" The horses were saddled, the jockeys mounting, everything in readiness to go out for the parade. Picton was talking anxiously to his trainer and Erickson, last instructions were given, Fred was told to make the most of Tearaway in every part of the race, use her staying powers, and in the last furlong her wonderful sprinting qualities to the utmost. "You feel better now?" asked Picton. "Yes, much better," said Fred; but he was anything but strong. A great cheer broke out from the stands and course. "That's the favorite," said Picton, smiling. "Tearaway will make a hack of him before the winning post is reached," said Fred. "You are the last out. Good luck to you, Fred," said Picton as he rode off. "Well, Brant, what do you think of it?" "What I have always thought, that she will win." "But about Fred?" "He'll be all right; he would not have ridden had he not been confident of himself," said the trainer.