Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/168

144 Patience! By George, Canute's coming! He's in front! He's running away from 'em! Just look how he's going! It's all over—Canute for a million! Hollo! how about your Estrella, Mr. Major? What's that—what's that in blue and pink? It's—it's Estrella! Dashed if she isn't coming on; hang me if she isn't! My eyes, how she's travelling! If there's time, she'll overhaul the leader! She has! She's collared him! She's racing him! She's passed him! Gosh! she's won!"

"I've won over a hundred and fifty thousand pounds." With one accord they turned to Mr. Major, He seemed in a sort of ecstasy. He repeated the words, "I've won over a hundred and fifty thousand pounds. I knew Estrella'd win."

Mr. Wilmot looked a little white.

"It's uncommonly queer," he said. "It is queer; I know it's queer. But I knew she'd win."

Miss Davidson spoke.

"I congratulate you, Mr. Major, with all my heart I never knew anyone who won a hundred and fifty thousand pounds before—and in a single day!"

"I shall win more before I've finished."

"You are surely not going to tempt Fortune again?"

"No—not fortune! The man who gave me the names of the horses which I have here was inspired. It was given to him to see behind the veil. I half suspected it at the time. I see it clearly now. It is not Fortune I am tempting; I am betting upon certainties. I know that every horse he gave me is sure to win!"