The jockey grinned again. "She never does that," he said. "But she ran gamely enough. Coming up out of the Dip, she hung a little, but I showed her the whip, and she came on as straight as a die. I thought once the Stalk would beat us--I got shut in, but I pulled her round, and we were never in difficulties. I could have won by ten lengths," said Atty. "You could have won by ten lengths," repeated Mainward in wonder. "Well, you've done me a good turn, Atty. This win will get me out of one of the biggest holes that ever a reckless man tumbled into--I shall not forget you, Atty." "I'm sure you won't, sir," said the little jockey gratefully; "if you'll excuse me now, sir----" Mainward nodded and watched him, as he moved quickly through the trees. There were several people in the glade now, and Mainward looked down ruefully at his soiled duck suit. "What an ass I was to come like this," he muttered in his annoyance. "I might have known that I should have met all these people." There was one he did not wish to see; and as soon as he sighted Venn, with his shy eyes and his big nose, Mainward endeavoured to slip back out of observation. But Venn saw him, and came tumbling through the trees, with his big, flabby hand extended and his dull eyes aglow. "Hullo, hullo!" he grinned, "been looking for you." Mainward muttered some inconsequent reply. "Rum place to find you, eh?" Venn removed his shining silk hat and mopped his brow with an awesome silk handkerchief. "But look here, old feller--about that money?" "Don't worry, my dear man," Mainward interposed easily. "I shall pay you now." "That ain't what I mean," said the other impetuously; "a few hundred more or less does not count. But you wanted a big sum----" "And you told me you'd see me----" "I know, I know," Venn put in hastily; "but that was before Kaffirs started jumpin'. Old feller, you can have it!" He said this with grotesque emphasis, standing with his legs wide apart, his hat perched on the back of his head, his plump hands dramatically outstretched: and Mainward laughed outright. "Sixteen thousand?" he asked. "Or twenty," said the other impressively. "I want to show you----" Somebody called him, and with a hurried apology he went blundering up the green slope, stopping and turning back to indulge in a little dumb show illustrative of his confidence in Mainward and his willingness to oblige. Mainward was laughing, a low, gurgling laugh of pure enjoyment. Venn, of all people! Venn, with his accursed questions and talk of securities. Well! Well! Then his merriment ceases, and he winced again, and his heart beat faster and faster, and a curious weakness came over him---- How splendidly cool she looked.