"What do you think of him, father?" "He is a brave fellow, and worthy of my daughter's love." "How do you know he has it, or that he wants it?" she asked slily. "There are certain symptoms, Win, I cannot fail to understand, and if Jack does not want my little girl he's about as big a fool as the earth holds," replied Sir Lester laughing. "A black pearl. Fancy me wearing such a precious thing. I shall be frightened to touch it, after all the adventures it has passed through." "You have not got it yet." "But Jack says he will get it for me, and that is quite sufficient." "His friend, Barry Tuxford, must be an extraordinary man. I should like to meet him," said Sir Lester. "And so should I, to thank him for all he has done for Jack." "Send him a special message in your next letter. He deserves a page to himself," said her father. "And he shall have it; a whole page," said Winifred. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXTH _A PUZZLE_ The trial had taken place, and Lucky Boy beat Black Boy and two others easily, much to the surprise of Joel Kenley, who could not understand it. On this form Lucky Boy's victory at Rosehill could not have been such a fluke after all. Jack saw the trial and was puzzled. He had ridden both horses in their work and had a decided preference for Black Boy. On more than one occasion he had galloped with Lucky Boy and beaten him, and yet there was no mistaking the way in which Barry's horse won the trial. He thought the matter over and came to the conclusion that there must be some mistake, and hinted as much to Joel, who laughed and said there could be no error, because both horses were ridden out, and they carried level weights. "We ought to have another trial," said Jack. "I do not advise it. The Cup race takes place next week and both horses are fit. If you take my advice you will back them both and the odds against Black Boy are very tempting. A hundred to three means a big win for a small outlay, and as you can also obtain a hundred to eight about Lucky Boy there is no cause to complain about the tightness of the market." "They are liberal prices," said Jack, "but not excessive on the form." Abe Moss was determined to be on the right one of Joel Kenley's pair for the Sydney Cup, and as he knew exactly what Black Boy was capable of he thought after the trial that Lucky Boy held a splendid winning chance. Abe, however, seldom gave anyone credit for acting straightforwardly, and when Lucky Boy won the trial he had doubts about the genuineness of the gallop. One evening he met Bricky Smiles in Adams' Bar, in Pitt Street. Bricky knew him, and saw no reason to avoid him. Moss seized the opportunity and commenced operations by standing drinks. He knew Bricky's failing, the old jockey took considerably more than was good for him at times, many people in more exalted positions do the same, but they hide it more effectually.