Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/165

Rh "As for being nowhere in the betting, all the better for small punters like myself," remarked the elderly Sir Gerald.

He descended to the ground; the others seemed to be all talking together. Mr. Major and Miss Davidson for the moment were unnoticed.

"What are you going to do? You're not going to do any more betting?"

"I am. I am going to put every penny upon Estrella."

"Oh, Mr. Major!"

"Miss Davidson, I know that I shall win."

"You seem very confident But you know you cannot always have good fortune. And you are playing for high stakes, you must remember."

"I am, for the highest possible. I am playing for the greatest prize in the world."

His earnestness seemed to abash her.

"Whatever it is I hope you will win it"

"You mean it?"

She turned away.

"Of course I do."

He hesitated. He seemed about to speak. Then, with a sudden impulse, he too descended to the ground.

"Put on five pounds for me," she said to him as he went down. "I'll back your luck."

He looked up at her, his face peony red. But he was speechless. His entry into the ring was greeted with something like applause: already he was famous. In his mastering excitement he did not notice it.

"Hollo! Mr. Major," cried Mr. Grainger of