But the densest, most colourful crowd gathered round the totalisator which stood between the first and second-class enclosures, so that the sergeants in uniform could attend at the same time to both its five-rupee board fronting the grand stand and its one-rupee board giving on the mixed multitude; could attend even to the slender dark hands which sometimes stretched over the barrier with five rupees in their palms, and a petition to be allowed the higher stake. Hands unable to grasp the fact that five lesser gains may equal one greater gain; an inability provocative of much needless discontent all over the world. Lesley Drummond's eyes, as she walked across the lawn, grew dazzled at the unusual glitter and colour of the crowd, her ears grew confused by the gamut of civilisation struck by the varying costumes. There, was the first note of Western influence in a pair of patent-leather shoes; yonder, the last echo of the East in a white turban above a frock coat. 'It's a queer crowd,' said Jack Raymond suddenly, as if in explanation of her look. 'And I could tell you a lot of queer tales. That man, for instance'--he nodded after a burly figure in a tinsel biretta which had just thrust a flabby waxen hand at him with a liquid Persian compliment on the New Year--'is the biggest brute in India. A Delhi pensioner by rights, but he does Buckingham here to the Rightful Heir, that young sweep to the left, in cloth of gold.' 'Rightful Heir!' echoed Lesley captiously, 'rightful heir to what?' Anglo-Indians in her limited experience oscillated between supposing her crassly ignorant or absolutely omniscient; and either treatment annoyed her, for she was accustomed to consider herself, and be considered, thoroughly well informed. 'The whole caboodle,' replied Jack Raymond tolerantly. 'You see there were kings in Nushapore----' 'I know _that_, of course!' she interrupted impatiently, 'but do they still claim?' 'Great Moses! Claim? Nushapore is a _vox clamavi_, chiefly to mutiny pensions which, being mortgaged up to the hilt, are of no use to any one but the usurers. But _they_ will generally lend the bankrupts enough for the entrance-fee to the races, so of course they come here in crowds.' 'Why?' asked the girl, feeling herself a mere mark of interrogation. 'It's a change from betting on cocks and kites. Besides, there's the position.' 'What position?' she asked, with a prayer for patience. He laughed easily. 'All races are equal on a course, Miss Drummond; and a racecourse is, practically, the only place where the native meets us on equal terms. Look! there's the biggest brute in Asia elbowing Mrs. Member-of-the-Board Collins at the totalisator! If he tried it on elsewhere, some one would kick him, and quite right too.' Lesley's disdain became active, though she told herself the remark was only to be expected from 'that type of man.' 'May I ask why?' she said superbly.