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142 Nottingham, "don't you think you're knocking 'em? Are you going for the gloves? Do you want to break the lot of us? We've all got wives and children, and we don't want to see 'em in the workhouse. What's the next article, Mr. Major?"

"What price Estrella for the Visitors' Plate?"

For a moment it seemed that there was no price. Then Mr. Grainger made a bid.

"I'll do you at evens, but not for a million, you know."

"I won't do you at any price," said Mr. Foote, who seemed unhappy. "I say with Mr. Jacobs—Mr. Major's too clever for me."

Sir Gerald Mason was standing by the artist's side.

"Evens!" he exclaimed. "Why, Estrella's quoted at forty to one."

"Oh, that was before Mr. Major was on. Mr. Major's hand-in-glove with the Old Gentleman—he's got the key of the stable."

Mr. Jacobs interposed.

"Look here, mister, I don't know who you are, but you've got twenty-eight thousand pounds of my money. Go you double or quits; evens against Estrella."

"I'll come in with you, Jacobs," cried an enterprising gentleman, whose name was Johnson—that well-known patron of "the fancy." "I'll do you the same price in any sum you choose, Mr. Major—a million if you like—I think I'm good for it!"

Mr. Major had to be content with the terms.

"I haven't done very well for you, Miss Davidson,"