The carriage was driven around several blocks, and finally drew up at a low pool-room which was only a short distance from the starting place. “Take a chair, Charlie,” said Steve, as they entered, “and I’ll find out what de boss has got ter say ’bout de races.” “I’ve got a sucker,” he said to the clerk in a low tone. “W’at do I get if he bets a couple o’ hundred?” “What’ll he bet on?” “Oh, anything.” “Twenty per cent; is that enough?” “’Tain’t ’nuff, but I s’pose it’s all I’ll get.” “Suppose I put him on Denver Bay even?” “Don’t do that,” said the other, hastily, “because if the horse shouldn’t----” The fellow hesitated with some confusion in his manner. “What’s that?” demanded the pool-room man, sharply. “Are there any new tricks over that horse?” “I don’t know anythin’ about any tricks.” “Well, if you don’t no man in New York does.” “That’s all right, but I didn’t come here to talk about that. Let’s get down to business.” Nick’s sharp ear had taken in every word of the conversation, and he at once resolved to test the fellow’s knowledge of Denver Bay’s standing. “Aw,” he said, advancing toward the desk, “I see Denver Bay is on the board. I’ll bet on him.” “I wouldn’t do that,” said Steve. “Why not, me deah boy?” “You came down here to take my steer, didn’t you?” “Aw, get away from de desk wid yer dude!” A couple of bullies shoved themselves between Nick and the desk, and one of them took occasion to drop a quid of tobacco on one of his nicely polished shoes as he passed him. “Look heah, fellah, no gentleman would do that, doncher know.” “Who ain’t a gentleman?” demanded the bully, doubling up his fists. “These people are weal coarse,” said Nick, turning to Steve; “I shall leave the place.” By this time the clerk was endeavoring by shaking his head and other motions to induce the roughs to let his customer alone until the bet had been made, but the fellows were half intoxicated, and were bent on having a crack at the dude. “Take dat wid ye!” said one of them, aiming a blow at Nick’s face. Nick’s guard was up in a moment, and a second later two astonished loafers were rolling over each other on the floor. “I like that,” said Steve, with a hearty laugh. “You’re a brick, if you are a dude. If you’ll drive me over to de track I’ll show you de hosses. I’ve got a date over there about this time.” The toughs did not appear anxious to renew the contest, so Nick and his new friend left the place and were driven away. CHAPTER V. A JOCKEY IN TROUBLE. The carriage containing the dude and the man Morris whom he had picked up at the saloon stopped at a roadhouse a short distance from the stables. Nick was not yet posted regarding the conference at the saloon between Morris and the man Brower, who had summoned him there.