N.''
Early next morning a sheaf of telegrams went Townward,
representing the market commands of the house-party and
servants' hall.
It was a wet afternoon, and most of Lady Susan's guests
hung about the hall, waiting apparently for the appearance
of tea, though it was scarcely yet due. The advent of a
telegram quickened every one into a flutter of expectancy;
the page who brought the telegram to Clovis waited with
unusual alertness to know if there might be an answer.
Clovis read the message and gave an exclamation of
annoyance.
``No bad news, I hope,'' said Lady Susan. Every one else
knew that the news was not good.
``It's only the result of the Derby,'' he blurted out;
``Sadowa won; an utter outsider.''
``Sadowa!'' exclaimed Lady Susan; ``you don't say so! How
remarkable! It's the first time I've ever backed a horse;
in fact I disapprove of horse-racing, but just for once in a
way I put money on this horse, and it's gone and won.''
``May I ask,'' said Mrs. Packletide, amid the general
silence, ``why you put your money on this particular horse?
None of the sporting prophets mentioned it as having an
outside chance.
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