He had made an
important discovery. Motkin, the butler, who (as Clovis
expressed it) had grown prematurely grey in Lady Susan's
service, added to his other excellent qualities an
intelligent interest in matters connected with the Turf. On
the subject of the forthcoming race he was not illuminating,
except in so far that he shared the prevailing unwillingness
to see a winner in Peradventure II. But where he outshone
all the members of the house-party was in the fact that he
had a second cousin who was head stable-lad at a
neighbouring racing establishment, and usually gifted with
much inside information as to private form and
possibilities. Only the fact of her ladyship having taken
it into her head to invite a house-party for the last week
of May had prevented Mr. Motkin from paying a visit of
consultation to his relative with respect to the big race;
there was still time to cycle over if he could get leave of
absence for the afternoon on some specious excuse.
``Let's jolly well hope he does,'' said Bertie van Tahn;
``under the circumstances a second cousin is almost as
useful as second sight.''
``That stable ought to know something, if knowledge is to
be found anywhere,'' said Mrs.
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