Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-06

send The Dutchman to the post half it, eased up in his work; then the horse could try, and the jockey could try, and in spite of it all the fast Ally of Porter's would win, and his subtle master, Crane, would have turned the result to his own benefit. Crane wanted The Dutchman because he was a good horse; he also wanted to have heavy plunge on Lu- cretia; but with the son of Hanover in other hands the good thing might not come off.
 In spite of what he had said to Lang don, there was little doubt in Cranes mind but that the son of Hanover was better horse than Lucretia. A san guine owner was so apt to Overrate everything In his own stable, especially if he had bred the animal himself, as Porter had Lucretia. To buy The Dutchman and back him on such short ownership to beat Lucretia would have been the policy of a very ordinary mind indeed; he knew intuitively-in fact Porter's unguarded conversation had suggested it-that Lucretia's owner meant to win himself out of his difficult position by backing the little mare heavily for the Eclipse, expecting to get his money on at good odds. By owning The Dutchman, Crane could whfpsaw the situation; forestall Porter in the betting by backing Lucretia down to short price himself, and have Jakey Faust lay with full vigor against the Hanover colt He would thus confine Porter to stake money, and cfs1 ha aIn &< his bank by the golden links he had forged on the place.
 Almost insensibly, side by side with this weed of villainy there was growing in Cranes mind most peculiar flower of sentiment, love blossom. Strive as he would-though the apathy of his re- bellion somewhat startled him-Crane could not obliterate from his thoughts the wondrous gray eyes of Allis Porter
 GrOtesQuely incOngruous as it was. Crane was actually in love; but the love flower, pure enough in itself, had rooted in marvellous ground. He was 40, and the methods of that many years must still govern his actions. Instinctively he felt that he must win the girl by diplomacy; and Cranes idea of diplo- macy was to get man irreyocably in his power. If John Porter were in debted to him beyond redemption, if he practically owned Ringwood, why should he not succeed with Allis?
 Langdon bought The Dutchman. What methods he employed Crane took no pains to discover; in fact, stopped Langdon abruptly when he sought to enlarge on the difficulties he had over come in the purchase. The price was the only item that interested Crane $7,000; that included everything even the secret service money.
 The horse acquired, Crane had one more move to make: he sent for Jakey Faust, the bookmaker. Faust and Crane had a reciprocal understanding. When the bookmaker needed financial assist ance he got it from the banker; when Crane needed missionary among the other bookmakers, Faust acted for him.
 T want to back Lucretia for the Eclipse" Crane said to the book maker.
 "Lucretia!" calculated Faust. She'll have rosy time beatin' Dutchy on their last race. They'll put better boy up on the colt next time, an he ought to come home all by himself.'
 "Yes, fairish sort of jock will have the mount, I think-Westley's good enough boy"
 ''Westley?" came wonderingly from Faust
 sYes; Langdon owns The Dutchman now"
 The Cherub pursed his fat round lips in soft whistle of enlightenment. It had staggered him at first that Crane, for whose acumen he had profound hazardous gamble; now he saw light. Then my book is full on the Porter mare?" he said inquiringly.
 Crane nodded his head.
 An lay against the Hanover colt?'
 Again Crane nodded. "It's not bookmaking," continued Faust.
 'T'm not bookmaker," retorted l Crane. And see here, Faust" he con- ! tinued, when you've got my money on the Porter mare-when and how leave to you-I want you to cut her | price short-6o you understand? Make l her go to the post two to one, if you | can; don't forget that" "If the mare goes wrong?" objected Faust.
 T don't think she will, but you needn't be in hurry--there's plenty of time.
 What's the limit?" asked Faust T want her backed down to even money at least," Crane answered, prob | ably ten thousand will do it. Atany rate you can go that far"
 (To Be Continued)