"
"Thank you very much, Gaynor; I appreciate your kindly warning; but I
hope you're mistaken, all the same," said Porter. Then he proceeded on
his way toward stall five, in which was Lauzanne.
"How are you, Mr. Porter?"
It was Philip Crane, standing just outside of the stall, who thus
addressed him. "Got something running today?" he continued, with vague
innocence.
Langdon, just inside the box, chuckled softly. Surely Crane was a past
master in duplicity.
"I'm starting Lucretia in this race," replied Honest John.
"Oh!" Then Crane took Porter gently by the sleeve and drew him half
within the stall. "Mr. Langdon, who trains a horse or two for me, says
this one'll win;" and he indicated the big chestnut colt that the
Trainer was binding tight to a light racing saddle. "You'd better have a
bit on, Mr. Porter," Crane added.
"Lucretia carries my money," answered Porter in loyalty.
Langdon looked up, having cinched the girth tight, and took a step
toward the two men.
"Well, we both can't win," he said, half insolently; "an' I don't think
there's anything out to-day'll beat Lauzanne."
"That mare'll beat him," retorted Porter, curtly, nettled by the other's
cocksureness.
"I'll bet you one horse against the other, the winner to take both,"
cried Langdon in a sneering, defiant tone.
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