"'Done!' says Mr. Van, quiet-like. 'If the committee says I'm eligible
we'll settle it in the cup race. If not, we can run a match.'
"'Entirely satisfactory,' says Ferguson, 'n' starts to go. But he comes
back, 'n' looks at Mr. Van wicked. 'By the way,' he says, 'money doesn't
interest either of us at present. Suppose we raise the stake this
way--the loser will take a trip abroad, for a year, and in the meantime
we both agree to let matters rest--in a certain quarter.'
"'Done!' says Mr. Van again. He looks at the other guy colder 'n ice
when he says it.
"Ferguson nods to him 'n' rides off.
"The English gink has heard the bet, 'n' when Ferguson beats it he shakes
his head.
"'Aw, old chap!' he says. 'That's a bit raw--don't you think? I'm sorry
you let him draw you. It's a beastly mess.'
"'I'm not afraid of him and his horse!' says Mr. Van. But I can see he
ain't feelin' joyous.
"'Damn him and his hawss--and you too!' says the English gink. 'Aw, it's
the young girl you've dragged into it, Billy!'
"'It's a confidential matter, and no names were mentioned,' says Mr. Van.
"'Don't quibble, old chap!' says the English gink. 'The name's nothing.
And as for its being confidential--Ferguson is sure to tell
that--aw--French puppy he's so thick with, and the viscawnt'll
be--aw--tea-tabling it about by five o'clock!'
"'You're right, of course,' says Mr. Van, slow. 'It was a low thing to
do--a cad's trick. No wonder you English are so rotten superior.
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