"No, not drunk--for a
wonder. Well, you know what to do to-morrow?"
The man nodded sulkily.
"Tighten and choke off at the last hurdle. Mind you do it neatly, too.
You _can_ do it, I know; and it won't be the first little affair you've
sold, eh? You sold one too many, though, when you crossed my path, and
you know what will happen if you fail me."
"All right," the jockey muttered hoarsely.
"I hope it will be all right," said his persecutor, shaking him gently
to and fro by the ear. "If not, you'll find yourself in the care of a
paternal Government--I tell you--picking oakum."
The man gave a sudden jerk and released himself from the cruel grasp;
then he looked up almost piteously.
"Must we do it, guv'nor?" he said hoarsely. "I've seen 'im----"
"Him! whom, you idiot?"
"Him--Mr. Leroy--as we're to sell."
"You're to sell, you mean, you gallows-bird," returned Jasper.
The man eyed him viciously.
"Yus," he growled, "you think you're going to git off scot-free, don't
yer? What if I don't do it? He giv' me a tenner, he did. 'E's a real
gent. What if I don't do it?" he repeated.
Mr. Vermont's eyes narrowed till he looked like a snake about to strike.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105