Evening star., 1924-07-24
CHAPTER XIV.
The Saddling Paddock.

We got in-at one of the big hotels
In northumberland avenue. Late
though it was, then, none of US had
a mind for immediate retirement; we
got together in a corner, a perplexe ed
and forlorn gathering. Peggie was
in the lowest depths of despair-and
/ knew where her thoughts were.
"Of course, everything over be-
tween Lady Renardsmere and me-"
she said, suddenly breaking an un-
comfortable silence. IF she turns
me out Of her house, she'll turn me
out of her stables tomorrow morning
It's all over"
my dear. the woman was beside
"She-she might have been drinking,
from her behavior. In the morn
mo-" exclaimed Peggie. II know
her! She'll be no different in the
morning; She's gone clean mad on
that damned ruby. l tell you / know
her. She isn't mad-she's as cram
full of superstition about precious
stones as ever woman could be
always was, ever since l knew her.
And she'll stick that green belt round
Ripping Rubys neck tomorrow,
whatever anybody says! And as I'll
have nothing to do with it and won't
countenance it-there's an end. I'm
her trainer no longer. I won't give
away! L don't consent to the crea-
ture wearing thing like that. sticky
with mems blood. And she won't give
way-if Medderfield. for instance, felt
like me about it, and refused to ride,
shed bundle him off and get another
jockey-anybody, even a stable lad.
She'll make Ripping ruby carry that
beastly thing. and if she does
"Wellr' asked Peyton, after a
pause. What if she doesr'
,ien Ripping Ruby won't win the
voice and with a somber, moody look
"Oh, GOMEZ" said Peyton. That's
superstition. surely! You're getting
as bad as Lady Renardsmere."
Pegsie. IT'S intuition. 1 feel IL"
IF you've got such a feeling, don't
give way to it," counseled Peyton.
"Come!-the flly's an innocent
enough animal. anyway; If Lady
superstitions as to insist on Ripping
Ruby's carrying that stone-why. that
won't interfere with the creatures
running powers, I reckon. Not a nice
thing to think of, certainly, that she
should carry an object that men have
-
ment doesn't come in where horse
racing's concerned. And maybe, as
Miss Hepple suggests. Lady Renards-
mere'll have come to her senses in
the morning-she's an impulsive old
party, seems to me-and we'll get
things cleared. I propose we all go
to bed and keep cheerful-after all.
the main thing is to win that race"
But a bit later, in his own room.
into which / had turned for a drink
and a cigarette, Peyton shook his
head.
ening the girl any more. but 1 reckon
Lady Renardsmere's upset the pan
and all the fats in the fire!"
How. exactly?' asked. Il mean
as regards the filly?'
Lady Renardsmere's at Epsom-at
least, we left her there" he answered.
"And-so is the Chinaman! He'll go
for one or both-at one, perhaps, to
get at the other. But-he'll act.
It's what he's there for"
"The f1lly's safe as the Bank of
England" said l.
How do you know that?" said he.
know, her crazy owners been up to
that stable by now and taken her
| away. I tell you, in spite of what
ever Miss Manson may say or think
about superstition, Lady Renardsmere re
Is mad!-clean off her head. And no.
body knsws what a madwoman will
do next!"
Sane enough to lug a couple of
big brutes about with her as a body
guard! I remarked. I'm not at all
| sure that she's mad