"Indeed! I was not aware of that." "Yes, he mounts a horse called Warrior. The knowing ones are betting two to one on him, and I heard him say at the Union Club last night, that if he won he would give the cup to his sister." Jack was not of an uncharitable disposition, but some how or another he hoped that Alfred Van Hoosen would not win. At length the course was reached, and Jack took a walk to the starting-place to have a look at the horses. He was an excellent cross-country rider himself, and he loved a horse dearly. All at once he saw a gentleman drive up to one of the stables, and alight hurriedly from his buggy. In doing which he slipped from the step and fell heavily to the ground. A cry of pain escaped him. "Confound it," he exclaimed. "I've sprained my ankle." It was Alfred Van Hoosen. Leaning on the arm of his trainer, who hurried up to offer his support, he entered the stable. Jack lingered around the spot to see what the result of the accident would be, for it appeared as if Mr. Van Hoosen would be unable to ride his horse that day. While he was waiting, Harvey met him and said excitedly: "I have been looking for you." "Anything happened?" asked Jack. "Oh! no, but I want you to be upon your guard." "What for?" "Near the grand stand, I saw that Italian ruffian Bambino, whom Lord Maltravers hired to kill you." Jack smiled incredulously. "My dear fellow," he replied, "it is evident to me that you have got Bambino on the brain." "I can trust my eyes, I suppose," answered Harvey, a little petulantly. "Not in this case. You have seen a man who resembles Bambino, that is all." "And I distinctly assert it is the assassin himself." "Bosh!" "All right. A willful man must have his way," said Harvey, shrugging his shoulders. "I should like to argue the point with you, but you are such a confirmed skeptic, I fear I should be wasting my time." "Oh, no, I am open to conviction," Harkaway rejoined. "Well, now, is it not possible that when the assassin jumped overboard he might have gained the abandoned vessel?" "Possible, but not probable." "Granting the fact of his having gained it, could he not have been taken off and brought to New York?" "Ah!" said Jack, drawing a deep breath. "What do you think now?" "I begin to believe in your Bambino." "Shake hands on that. I think I begin to see how the money of Mr. Cobb came into your pocket; it was an attempt to blast your reputation. Having failed to kill you, he stabs your character and wounds you in your tenderest and most susceptible part. Here is another point--Lord Maltravers, this scoundrel's master, is your rival for the affections of Miss Van Hoosen." "Undoubtedly!" "Well, you call and are refused the house, simply on account of this alleged robbery. What is more calculated to please Maltravers!" "True. I am willing to admit, Dick, that you are a genius, and I will be on my guard, as you suggest," said Jack.