"It's curious," said Jack, "but I cannot get it out of my head about Black Boy, I feel sure he will run well and beat Barry's horse." "Have you heard from Mr. Tuxford?" asked the trainer. "No, he has hardly had time to write." "He must be a long way from here?" "He is," replied Jack, smiling, and the trainer said-- "It is no use trying to trap you." "Not a bit," said Jack. "He has left everything in our hands," said the trainer, "but it would be far more satisfactory if he were here, or even if we could communicate with him." "I am afraid that also is impossible. A telegram would not reach him, besides what is there to wire about?" "Nothing, when you come to think of it," answered Joel. "We must give orders for both horses to be ridden out, and then we shall discover which is really the better of the pair. I confess the solution of that question interests me as much as the result of the race itself." "And so it does me, and I am not at all sure, Mr. Redland, that the second string will not win," replied the trainer. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENTH _THE SECOND STRING_ It was a brilliant scene on the beautiful Randwick course on Cup Day, and Jack Redland, as he looked round, thought it compared more than favourably with anything of the kind he had seen in the old country. He knew it was to be a day of excitement, and he heartily wished he had some friend to share it with him. Sometimes our desires are gratified in a strangely sudden manner, and so it chanced to be with him. As he looked at the moving mass of people in the ring at the rear of the Stewards' Stand, he saw a burly figure that seemed strangely familiar. At first he did not recognise it, but as the man moved nearer, he gave an exclamation of delighted surprise, for it was his old friend Captain Seagrave, who in some extraordinary way had turned up at this opportune moment. Jack darted down the steps of the stand and hustled his way through the crowd, not stopping to answer numerous heated inquiries as to where he was "pushing people." He caught Captain Seagrave by the arm, and the astonished sailor gasped as he looked at him. "Of all the blessed experiences I ever had, this beats all," said Job, as he gave his hand a hearty shake. "Where on earth have you sprung from?" "I ought to ask that question," replied Jack, laughing. "What brings you here?" "Come under the trees and sit down, and I'll tell you." They went towards a shady seat, and then Job Seagrave said-- "It does me good to see you. I've a heap of things to tell you. I saw Sir Lester and his daughter last trip and they have sent no end of messages, especially the young lady. Lucky dog, that's what you are." Jack forgot all about the races for the time being, so absorbed was he in listening to the Captain.