t was an attractive-looking, old-fashioned place, that great hall, with
its flight of stairs leading up into a gallery showing many
chamber-doors, its glazed-in bar-parlour, and its open windows looking
out on to the common and racecourse, quite alive on that bright summer's
morning with all the tag-rag and bob-tail of a race day, as well as with
the many lovers of the race from town and country who had come to enjoy
the sport.

"Here, 'Lizbeth," shouted the landlord, reaching back so as to send his
hoarse voice well into the bar-parlour, "ain't yer young missus come
back yet?"

"Yes, sir, and gone up to dress," came back.

"Humph! Time she had," growled the man, wetting the lead of his pencil.
"I dunno what she wanted to go out biking for on a morning like this.
I'd ha' biked her, if I'd seen her going."

There was an interval of writing. Then more grumbling--

"Might have attended to the business a bit as she is at home, and me up
to my eyes in work. Humph! That's right."

Another entry was made.

"Blest if I can recklect so well as I used. Blow bikes! Why, they'll
be wanting to run races with 'em next, and--Mornin', doctor; ain't seen
yer for months."

"Morning, Sam. No; I've been away with my regiment. Here, someone, S.
and B."

This to the attendants in the bar, where he stopped for a few minutes
discussing the cooling drink, while behind the landlord's back he made a
few quick entries in his book with a metallic pencil.

"Dear old Hilt," he said to himself. "I was just in time. Got on for
him, so that he ought to be pretty warm by to-night. How's the little
star, Sam?" he cried, turning back.

"Oh, she's all right, sir, thank ye."

"You ought to be proud of her. She has taken all London by storm."

"So I hear, sir. I am proud on her, for she's as good as she is high."

"That I'm sure she is, Sam; bright, clever, witty, and not a bit of harm
in her, I'll swear."

"Right you are, sir. Sleep here to-night, sir?"

"Of course. I wired down."

"I didn't know, sir. Then, of course, it's booked. Dine too, sir?"

"Can't say, Sam. I hope I shall be engaged. If I'm not I shall throw
myself on Miss Simpkins's mercy."

"You'll be all right, sir. I've laid in plenty o' grub."

The doctor nodded, and as the landlord went on studying his betting-book
he unstrapped and took out his race-glass, wiped the lenses
thoughtfully, took a look through, after careful focussing, and put it
back