he made his first wager and the crowd learned
the name of the horse, it broke with a. yell into hundreds of flying
missiles which hurled themselves at the book-makers. Under their attack,
as on the day before, Ambitious receded to even money. There was hardly
a person at the track who did not back the luck of the man who "could
not lose." And when Ambitious won easily, it was not the horse or the
jockey that was cheered, but the young man in the box.

In New York the extras had already announced that he was again lucky,
and when Dolly and Carter reached the bank they found the entire staff
on hand to receive him and his winnings. They amounted to a sum so
magnificent that Carter found for the rest of their lives the interest
would furnish Dolly and himself an income upon which they could live
modestly and well.

A distinguished-looking, white-haired official of the bank congratulated
Carter warmly. "Should you wish to invest some of this," he said, "I
should be glad to advise you. My knowledge in that direction may be
wider than your own."

Carter murmured his thanks. The white-haired gentleman lowered his
voice. "On certain other subjects," he continued, "you know many things
of which I am totally ignorant. Could you tell me," he asked carelessly,
"who will win the Suburban to-morrow?"

Carter frowned mysteriously. "I can tell you better in the morning," he
said. "It looks like Beldame, with Proper and First Mason within call."

The white-haired man showed his surprise and also that his ignorance was
not as profound as he suggested.

"I thought the Keene entry----" he ventured.

"I know," said Carter doubtfully. "If it were for a mile, I would say
Delhi, but I don't think he can last the distance. In the morning I'll
wire you."

As they settled back in their car, Carter took both of Dolly's hands
in his. "So far as money goes," he said, "we are independent of your
mother--independent of my books; and I want to make you a promise. I
want to promise you that, no matter what I dream in the future, I'll
never back another horse." Dolly gave a gasp of satisfaction.

"And what's more," added Carter hastily, "not another dollar can you
risk in backing my books. After this, they've got to stand or fall on
their legs!"

"Agreed!" cried Dolly. "Our plunging days are over."

When they reached the flat they found waiting for Carter the junior
partner of a real publishing house. He had a blank contract, and he
wanted