It was a close call to make it, though; there was a
few ounces over."
"All the better; it's a hot day, an' if they're long at the post it'll
take them spare ounces out of you, I fancy."
Dixon held up his finger to the boy that was leading Lucretia, and
nodding his head toward the stall led the way.
"We're number seven, Mike," said Allis, looking at the leather tag which
carried the figure on Jockey Redpath's right arm.
"'There's luck in odd numbers, said Rory O'Moore,'" quoted Mike.
"I've a superstitious dread of seven," the girl said; "it's the one
number that I always associate with disaster--I don't mind thirteen a
bit."
"We'll break the bad luck seven to-day," asserted little Redpath,
bravely.
"I hope so," answered Allis. "Let me put my finger on the number for
good luck," and she touched the badge on his arm. "Now I'm going up to
get a good seat in the stand," she continued; "I'll leave Lucretia to
you, Redpath."
XXIV
As the slight figure, looking slighter still in a long trailing race
coat, passed through the paddock gate to the stand enclosure, Mike
Gaynor spoke to the jockey.
"Redpath, me b'y, it's up to ye to put yer best leg for'ard to-day.
Ye'r ridin' for the greatest little woman in this big country.
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