The two girls spent perhaps an hour in the stable, and as they were about to leave, Shirley decided to see Gabriel once more, and so approached his stall.
Suddenly she halted in her tracks and laid a warning finger to her lips. Mabel also stopped.
“I thought I heard strange voices in there,” said Shirley, pointing to Gabriel’s stall.
“Impossible,” returned Mabel in a low voice. “Gabriel wouldn’t allow a stranger in there. He would kick him to pieces.”
Silently she approached closer, and stood still, listening intently.
Then only the two girls heard a voice they recognized.
“Jimmy,” said Mabel. “You were mistaken, Shirley.”
She started to go closer, but Shirley stopped her with a whispered word of caution.
“There is some one else there, too! Listen.”
“Yes,” came the voice of Jimmy Smith, “he is in fine shape, as you see. He will be in perfect condition for the Derby. He is sure to win.”
“Yes, he’ll win, all right,” was the answer, in a voice that neither Shirley nor Mabel recognized. “He’ll win unless something happens.”
“But what can happen to him?” inquired Jimmy. “He is being nursed carefully. I am attending to him myself. No other hand but mine touches him, unless it is that of Miss Shirley; and I have promised to have him perfectly fit for the big race.”
“That,” said the stranger in a hoarse whisper, “is what I have come to see you about.”
“Well,” said the stranger, “I represent a syndicate of bookmakers. You know what bookmakers are, don’t you?”
“Yes: a bookmaker is a man who lives by betting on the races.”
“Almost that. He is a man who lives by allowing others to bet with him. Now, after looking over all the horses entered for the Derby, we have come to the conclusion that Gabriel is bound to win if the race is absolutely straight.”
“Straight,” repeated Jimmy. “What do you mean?”
“Just what I say. If Gabriel is allowed to win, we stand to lose considerable money. But if he should lose——” the stranger paused.
“But he won’t lose,” said Jimmy confidently.
“He will if you will help us,” said the stranger.
“Because,” said the stranger, “there will be money in it for you. What would you say to five hundred dollars?”
Both girls heard Jimmy give a slight gasp.
“Five hundred dollars,” he repeated slowly.