Wilkie really imagined that folks
were waiting for him at Vincennes; and that the fete would not be
complete without his presence.
Still, when he presented himself inside the enclosure, a cigar in
his mouth, and his racing card dangling from his button-hole, he
was obliged to confess that his entrance did not create much of a
sensation. An astonishing bit of news had imparted unusual
excitement to the ring. People were eagerly discussing the
Marquis de Valorsay's sudden determination to pay forfeit and
withdraw his horses from the contest; and the best informed
declared that in the betting-rooms the evening before he had
openly announced his intention of selling his racing stable. If
the marquis had hoped that by adopting this course he would
silence the suspicions which had been aroused, he was doomed to
grievous disappointment. The rumor that he had secretly bet
against his own horse, Domingo, on the previous Sunday, and that
he had given orders not to let the animal win the race, was
steadily gaining credence.
Large sums had been staked on Domingo's success. He had been the
favorite in the betting ring and the losers were by no means
pleased. Some declared that they had seen the jockey hold Domingo
back; and they insisted that it was necessary to make an example,
and disqualify both the marquis and his jockey. Still one weighty
circumstance pleaded in M.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83