f the cleverest
touts that ever worried a stable. After parting from Copley and Foster,
he staggered along cheerfully till he came to a roadside public-house,
where he obtained a shakedown for the night. The thirst for drink was
upon him--indeed, it was seldom or never absent--but he managed to put a
check upon himself, and retired to bed with strict injunctions to be
called at daybreak. In the morning he rose a trembling wreck, his tongue
cleaved to the roof of his mouth, his nerves were a-quiver, but, by a
supreme effort, he kept himself from the drink which called to him so
strongly. The smell of it in the dingy public-house appealed to him
mockingly, but he thrust the fierce desire aside and stole off to the
Downs with splitting head and aching brows. He resolved to make up for
his sufferings later. With luck he would be in London soon after nine
o'clock. An hour later he would have sold his valuable information, and
then--well, then, he would enjoy himself after the manner of his kind.

Having concealed himself in a patch of gorse, he waited with what
patience he could for the trial. It was a long and weary vigil, but
presently he heard the muffled tramp of horses and the sound of voices.
Cautiously Chaffey raised himself and peeped out. He knew he was hiding
just behind the winning-post. The solitary figure standing there was
familiar to him. With a grin he recognized Fielden.

In the distance he could see two horses flashing along, and as they drew
nearer he made out the fine dashing outline of the Blenheim colt. He had
never seen that noble animal before, but his keen instinct told him he
was not mistaken. He forgot his aches, pains, and everything else in the
excitement of the moment. He saw the Blenheim colt holding his own,
sailing along with a free and easy stride, and then suddenly, within a
hundred yards or so of the gorse bushes, the other horse came away and
finished many lengths ahead. The colt had a peculiar action that Chaffey
did not fail to notice.

"They are right," he said, "the colt's queer. My word! it was well I
came here this morning. This will be five and twenty pounds in my
pocket. And if I have any luck that bloomin' Copley can get somebody
else to look after his fruit baskets. I've had enough of it."

Chaffey dropped down as he saw Raffle coming up to the winning-post.
The horses had been led away, and nobody could hear what Fielden and his
companion and Mallow had to say.

"This is a