te hat, and a flower in his buttonhole. A new
bookmaker had made his appearance. He informed the crowds in song that he
betted "only for cash," not "on the nod"--"I pay on the winner,
immediately after the race." It only wanted an organ to accompany him. It
was quite amusing to watch the remainder of his brethren in the ring. At
first they looked about for the songster; then they laughed; and then set
to work fairly to howl him down. It was no use; he managed somehow to
make his dulcet notes heard. The new arrival before the end of the day
was well known. His experiment had succeeded; it had been a first-class
advertisement, and he gathered in many clients.

He left Adelaide for the sister States. Some time afterwards an amusing
story went the round of sporting circles. Whether true or not I know not.
Here it is. The committee of one of the most important bookmakers' clubs
in Australia had occasion to adjudicate on a charge laid against him for
conduct which it was stated rendered him an undesirable member of the
club, to the honorary membership of which he had been admitted. The
committee, after inquiry, decided to request him to see them, inform him
of the charge that had been made against him, ask him if he wished to
refute it; if not, it was their intention to cancel his membership. His
answer was reported to be as follows: "The charges made against me
practically accuse me of behaving like a blackguard. Well, I can be a
blackguard--probably a bigger one than any of you are or can be, but
however that may be, there is one thing I can be, if I like, but which
none of you can ever be, and that is a gentleman. Good morning; I am
returning to England to-morrow."

CHAPTER III

THE RUSSIAN SCARE AND ITS RESULTS

Sir Frederick Sargood had been appointed Minister of Defence in Victoria.
He had evidently been impressed with the success that had attended the
experiment made by the South Australian Government when they had decided
to ask the Imperial Government to lend them the services of a regular
officer to command their local troops. He decided upon a similar course
of action, but he went a good deal further than the South Australian
Government had done. He was determined to do the thing well, and he did
it. He asked the Imperial Government for the loan of officers to fill the
following positions: (a) Commandant; (b) Adjutant-General; (c) D.A.G. for
Cavalry and Infantry; (d) D.A.G. for Artillery; (e) O.C. Engine