ilence on the condition that this persecution of Miss
Haredale ceased.

"Ah! you have come," Copley said in his blunt way. "Well, I have
arranged everything for you. I want you to take over the entire
management of my stable. The last man had four hundred a year and the
run of the house, and I am prepared to offer you the same terms.
Everything will be left in your hands. As I told you last night, my
racing stable is only a side-show, and I don't want to be bothered with
it. You can make a start next week at Mirst Park. I have horses running
in races both days, and I shall probably run down myself. But you know
the ropes well enough."

"I think you can leave it to me," Fielden remarked.

"Very well, then, that's settled. You can ask the housekeeper to give
you a room. You can have all the meals you want, and the horses will be
yours to handle as you like. I must wish you good morning, for I have a
score of things to occupy my attention before I motor to town at six
o'clock. I think that will do. Good day."

Fielden took his leave, hardly knowing whether to be pleased or not. He
spent the next hour or so in the stables, interviewing the stud groom
and the helpers, who seemed to know all about the new arrangement. He
said little or nothing about it, but was somewhat surprised to find what
a poor set of horses Copley owned. For the most part they were little
better than platers. There might be a racer or two amongst them, but
only for small meetings. The groom was quite open in his comments, and
to these Fielden listened discreetly. He was free, presently, to go over
to Haredale Park and get his belongings together. He strode across the
Downs and passed the wide stretch of turf where the trial of the
Blenheim colt had taken place. He was hurrying down the slope when he
came face to face with Aaron Phillips.

"I was looking for you," the latter said. "I haven't been letting the
grass grow under my feet since we met last. I am beginning to get a hold
of the game. We shall be able to make those fellows sit up before long.
I suppose you couldn't manage to get away on Friday and Saturday next
for the two days' racing at Mirst Park? If you can, I shall show you
something that will open your eyes."

"As it happens," Fielden explained, "I am going there. I have just been
appointed a kind of general manager to Mr. Copley. I have to thank Sir
George Haredale for this. As you can imagine, Phillips, it is not a
congenial occupa