Horse-dealing is a thing apart from all
other buying and selling. Honesty, in the common sense of the word,
does not enter into it. Therefore, Major Kent was quite ready to defraud
Doyle if he could. He and Dr. O'Grady walked into Ballymoy together for
the purpose.

They reached the corner of the market square and caught sight of
Mr. Billing's large motor-car standing outside the hotel. Doyle and
Gallagher, who had stopped drinking, were standing near it.

"If Doyle's bought that motor," said the Major, "he won't look at the
filly."

"He hasn't," said the doctor. "What would he do with the motor if he had
it? All the same it's queer. I don't know what it's doing there. Nobody
with money enough to own a car like that could possibly be stopping at
Doyle's Hotel. Come along and let's find out about it."

They hurried across the square and greeted Doyle and Gallagher.

"Whose is the big motor?" said Dr. O'Grady.

"It belongs to an American gentleman," said Doyle, "who's within in the
hotel. We're waiting for him this minute. He's getting his camera, and
when he has it got he's going round with Thady Gallagher to photograph
the town."

Gallagher took Major Kent by the arm and drew him apart.

"Major," he said, "can you tell me who was General John Regan?"

"Never heard of him," said the Major, "but if he owns that car he must
be a middling well-off man."

"Look here, Doyle," said Dr. O'Grady, "you know that filly the Major
bought at the fair."

"I've heard of her," said Doyle.

"Well, as it happens," said Dr. O'Grady, "she turns out to be a bit too
good for what he wants. His idea was to get something to do a bit of
carting, and it turns out that this one is--well, she has breeding. Now,
look here, Doyle------"

He led Doyle apart just out of earshot of the Major and Gallagher.

"I owe you a trifle, don't I, Doyle?"

"As near as I can go to it without looking at my books," said Doyle,
"you owe me L60, and I'd be thankful if so be that it's quite convenient
to you----"

"It isn't a bit convenient," said Dr. O'Grady, "but I quite admit that
I owe the money. Now what I suggest is this. I've persuaded the Major
to let you have that filly cheap, dirt cheap. It will be found money to
you, Doyle, if you get her at the price the Major's going to name,
and you may be able to knock a pound or two off that. Under these
circumstances and seeing that I'm putting the chance in your way--it
isn't everyone that could,