The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-25

luck he cried. I understand that a
stabie-boy stays there alone every
night. Perhaps that is his
supper which you are carry
ing to him. Now l am sure
that you would not be too proud to
earn the price of a new dress would
YOU He took piece of white paper
folded UP out of his wastcoat pocket.
Sec that the boy has this tonight and
you shall have the prettiest froCk that
money can buy
"She was frightened by the earn
estncss Of his manner, and ran past
him TO the window through which she
was accustomed to hand the meals. 1t
was already opened and Hunter was
seated at the small table inside She
had begun to tell him of what had
happened when the stranger came up
a~an.
Good evening. said he, looking
through the window. wanted to
have a word with you the Girl has
sworn that as he spoke she noticed
the corner of the little paper packet
protruding from his closed hand.
What business have you here 2
asked the lad.
It's business that may put some
thing into your pocket said the 9TH
err You've two horses in for the
Wessex Cup-Silver Blaze and Bay
ard. Let me have the straight tip and
you won't be loser Is it fact that
at the weights Bayard could give the
other a hundred yards in five furlongs,
and that the stables have put their
money on him.
so you're one of those damned
touts!" cried the lad. I'll show you
how we serve them in Kings Pyland.
He sprang up and rushed across the
stable to unloose the dog. The girl
fed away to the house, but as she
ran she looked back and saw that the
stranger was leaning through the win
dow A minute later, however, when
Hunter rushed out with the hound he
was gone, and though he ran all round
the buildings he failed to find any
trace oe him"
zone moment" 1 asked did the
stable-boy. when he ran out with the
dog. leave the door unlocked behin5
him ?"
Excellent, Watson excellent"
mUrmured my companion. The inn
portance of the point struck me SO
forcibly that / sent a special wire to
Dartmoor yesterday to clear the mat
ter IN. The boy locked the door be
fore he loft it. The window, | may
add, was not large enough for man
to get through.
Hunter waited until his fellow
groomS had returned when he sent a
message to the trainer and told him
what had occurred. Straker was ex-
cited at hearing the account although
he does not seem to have cutie realiz-
ed its trhe significance. 1t left him,
however, vaguely uneasy and Mr..
Straker, waking at / o'clock in the
morning found that he was dressing.
In reply to her inquiries, he said that
he could not SLEEP on account of his
anxiety about the horses, and that he
intended TO walk down to the stables
to sec that all was well. she begged
him TO remain at home, as she could
hear the rain pattering against the
window, but in spite of her entreaties
he pulled on his large macintosh and
left the house.
Mrs Straker awoke at Z in the
morning, to find that her husband
had not vet returned she dressed
herself hastily, called the maid. and
set off for the stables. The door was
open; inside huddled together upon a
chair, Hunter was sunk in state of
absolute stupor the favorite's stall
was empty, and there were no signs
of his trainer.
The two lads who slept In the