“I don’t know,” returned Shirley. “I just happened to think of it.” “It’s certain,” said Mabel, who came up at that moment, “that Jones and his friends will take every means in their power to keep Gabriel from winning the race.” “That’s just my idea,” said Shirley. “Then, in the future,” said Jimmy, “I shall sleep in the stable.” “But what good will that do?” asked Mabel. “You are nothing but a boy. You would be no match for them.” “He shall have my revolver,” suggested Shirley. She turned to Jimmy. “Can you use it?” “Yes,” replied the lad. “Good; then I shall get it for you at once.” She left them, and, returning a few moments later, placed the weapon in Jimmy’s hands. “You will sleep in the stable to-night?” she asked. “Yes,” replied Jimmy. “Jones has not returned to Louisville, and I believe he might come back here in the middle of the night.” “So do I,” agreed Shirley. A clock in the house struck eight. “I’ll go to my room and get a few things, and then return to the stable,” said Jimmy. Coming downstairs, he bade the girls good-night and went away to his unusual quarters. He went straight to Gabriel’s stall. “I’m going to stay with you to-night, old fellow,” he said, patting the horse’s head. He climbed up into the loft and threw down an extra quantity of hay, which he strewed about the far corner of the stall. On this he spread a blanket he had brought with him from the house. Then he extinguished his lantern, and lay down. He did not know how long he had been sleeping when he was awakened by the sound of the stall door rattling. Jimmy was a light sleeper. He sat up quickly and groped for the revolver he had placed beside him. With the weapon in his hand he felt more secure. Again the door rattled. Jimmy sat perfectly still. Then there came the sound of low voices outside. Gabriel, awakened at this hour of the night, whinnied uneasily. Jimmy rose, and slowly and quietly made his way to the animal’s side, judging his position by the horse’s breathing. He laid a hand upon the animal’s back, and Gabriel grew still. Again the door rattled. “Sounds like they were trying to find the lock,” muttered Jimmy beneath his breath. Still he made no sound. At first he had thought of lighting his lantern, but second thought had shown him the utter foolishness of such action. It might frighten away the men on the outside, or else it would make him an easy target should they be bent upon serious mischief. “They’ll get the door open in a minute,” the boy muttered to himself, and he determined to be ready for them. There was a click, and Jimmy knew that the intruders had succeeded in forcing the lock. A moment later the top of the stall door swung inward. The light from a lantern flashed into Jimmy’s face, and he saw a hand stretched forth to open the catch of the bottom door. He saw two faces, one of which he recognized as that of Jones. The other man he had never seen before.