"I suppose you know your own affairs best," grumbled Jack, "but it's a fool's game to give me the chuck, I can tell you that. I suppose you're lookin' to Clithero--damn him!--to pull you through, but you're backin' a wrong 'un there, Rada. He'll come a smasher when Pollux fails to-day. No man can stand the pace at which he's been goin'; it's not in reason." "Will you please take me back to the coach?" Rada spoke imperiously. "I have promised to be with Sir Roderick and Mr. Trelawny for the race. They will look after me then and afterwards." Indeed, there was little time to spare. The bell was ringing; people were scurrying across the course. Rada and Jack had barely reached the other side when a low cry went up from the crowd and a black horse emerged from the paddock, a horse which was proclaimed by the puce and black of the jockey to be Mostyn Clithero's Pollux. It was at that moment, as they stood watching for Castor to appear, that a rough-looking fellow pushed his way to Jack's side, thrust a note into his hand, and then remarking, "I've had a hunt for you, guv'nor," edged away again. "What's that letter about?" Rada put the question as Jack read the communication. All her suspicions had returned to her. She felt possessed of a curious clairvoyant power, and knew that she had reason to be on her guard. "It's nothing to do with you." Jack crushed the note in his hand, preparatory to thrusting it in his pocket. With a sudden sharp movement, totally unexpected, Rada seized the paper. She hardly knew why she did so; she was impelled by the action of some unaccountable power. "Give that to me. Curse you, what d'you mean by it?" Jack sought vainly to rescue his property, but since he could not exercise actual violence there under the Epsom Hill, he was powerless. Rada unfolded the crumpled paper and read the missive. "It's all right, Jack. I've got Ben to do the job. Only found him this morning. It's all up with Pollux. We've wiped off our little debt, and you can turn your brass upon Castor. Meet you after the race--you know where." The note was signed "Ted." For a moment Rada stood still, then she found tongue. "You blackguard!" But her breath was coming in deep gasps, and she could say no more. "Look here, Rada," growled the man, "you've no right to read my letter. But let that pass. Since it's all for your good you won't be such a fool as to kick up a shindy. Your horse will win the Derby, and that's what you want. Give me that paper, and say no more about it." "No!" Rada crushed the incriminating document in her hand. "I won't!" He seized her arm. "Give it to me," he hissed. "Rada, if you make a fool of yourself, I swear before God that you shall suffer for it. I can ruin you and your father, and I'll do it."