CHAPTER XVII
THE LAY OF THE LAND
Race meetings gradually dropped out, they were few and far between; there was more important business on hand.
Fred Skane had sole control of Alan Chesney's horses during his absence and picked up a race or two to meet expenses. Alan had given no instructions to sell any of his horses, but Fred used his judgment and let three or four go in selling races. Alan impressed upon him to prepare a couple of horses to match against Bernard Hallam's Rainstorm and Southerly Buster, for he was anxious to demonstrate the superiority of the English horses.
Mr. Hallam brought his trainer from Australia, and Jack Wrench—his name—was granted permission to train at Newmarket. It was not long before two sterling good horses, Catspaw and Bellringer, four and five years old respectively, were purchased to lead the Australians in their work. Both horses had won good handicaps and came into the market on the departure of their owner for the front. Mr. Hallam paid a stiff price for them, but Jack Wrench had been advised they were worth it. The Australian trainer was anxious to prove that Rainstorm and Southerly Buster were equal to the best handicap horses in England.
It soon got about in racing circles that there was likely to be a match between horses of Alan Chesney and those of Bernard Hallam. This news spread far and wide, and the Australians in the fighting line were as eager about it as anybody. The Anzacs had a terrible time in Gallipoli, and the Dardanelles generally, but they were always eager to discuss sport when the Turks gave them a rest for a few hours.
Time passed quickly, and already the death roll on both sides was terrible. Still Alan escaped unhurt, and Eve expected him home on short leave; his latest letter, however, gave no hope of this for some time, but he said he would make an effort later on when his horses were fit to run. He fixed up a match with Mr. Hallam for a thousand a side between The Duke and Southerly Buster, and Bandmaster and Rainstorm, the distances a mile and two miles. The Hunt Cup winner developed into a great stayer, and as he had a wonderful turn of speed he was sanguine of beating Rainstorm.
So many race meetings were abandoned that the Newmarket programs were extended to take their place in some measure, and the headquarters of the turf became very busy. Racing men were thankful for small mercies; the extra meetings were well attended and big fields turned out for the events.
Mr. Hallam was often at Newmarket, taking great interest in the work of his horses, and Wrench gave him encouraging accounts of their progress. Both horses came well out of their gallops with Catspaw and Bellringer, and the local touts were much impressed with them.
Rainstorm was voted a beauty; the Australian horse became popular and his portrait appeared in several papers, together with interviews with Bernard Hallam.
Ella Hallam spent much of her time at The Forest with Eve Berkeley and they were firm friends. Ella knew of Eve's engagement to Alan and heartily congratulated her. Whatever she might have thought about Alan's attentions to herself she never for a moment doubted his inclinations were toward Eve; being a loyal-hearted woman she accepted the situation.
Fred Skane came to Trent Park to see Sam Kerridge. They were cronies, had been for years.
"I suppose you'll win both matches," said Sam.
"Pretty sure of it. Bandmaster will beat Rainstorm anyhow whichever way the other goes," answered Fred.
"Queer Bandmaster should turn out a stayer," said Sam.
"He's bred to stay," replied Fred.
"But he's a Hunt Cup winner and I'd hardly have expected him to be up to two miles."
"Well he is—no mistake about it. I've tried him and I know," said the trainer.
"And you don't often make mistakes, Fred."
"I'm just as liable to be mistaken as other men, but when I've something to go upon I'm not far out," replied the trainer.
"Awful job, this war," growled Sam; "upsets everything. I've lost four of my best men, and some of the others want to join up."
"Can't wonder at it. We'll need every man we have to win outright."
"Suppose we shall," said Sam. "All the same it's hard lines on a chap when he's used to the men and they're used to him."
In the evening they walked to Little Trent and went into the Sherwood Inn for a chat with Abel Head, who gave them a cordial welcome. They were favorites, and he liked a talk about racing. While they were chatting, a motor horn was heard and Abel said:
"That's Meason coming back. He's earlier than usual."
The trainer and Sam had heard of Carl Meason and were aware of Abel's opinion about him.
"He's making a long stay with you," said Fred.
"I'm about tired of him, although I'll not deny he's a good customer and pays his way," said Abel.
Carl Meason looked into the snuggery as he was passing the door.
"Come in," said Sam. "You may as well join us."
Carl entered, took off his coat, and sat down.
"When's the great match to come off?" he asked. He was always posted up on racing; he liked a flutter and never lost an opportunity of getting a useful hint.
"Hardly know yet," said Fred. "I expect we'll have to wait until Mr.
Chesney gets leave. He'll want to see both races run."
"And I suppose his horses will win both matches?" said Carl.
"I hope so," said the trainer.
"You're not certain?"
"One can never be sure where racing is concerned," said Fred.
Carl laughed.
"Then what about these big coups that come off? They're pretty sure about them."
"Of course there are real good things, but even they are bowled over," said Fred.
"Clever men, you trainers," said Carl.
"Some of them," said Sam, with a wink at Abel.
"No doubt about Mr. Skane's being one of the clever men," said Carl.
"Don't know so much about that; I've been done more than once," said
Fred.
"Shouldn't have thought it," said Carl. "The man who did you must have got up very early in the morning."
"Going out to-night again?" asked Abel.
"Yes, walking; I have a little business on hand that concerns my happiness," said Carl.
"Sounds a bit like courting," said Sam.
"You're not far out," was Carl's reply. "I'm thinking of getting married," he added as he left the room.
"Who's the girl?" asked Sam.
"Can't say for certain. He's been thick with Jane Thrush for a long time; they go out together. She's been in his motor to Nottingham. Can't think what Tom's about to allow it."
"He'd be a good match for her, eh?" asked Fred.
"I'm none so sure about that. What do you say, Sam?" asked Abel.
"I don't know much about the man. Jane's a very pretty girl; she's quite good enough for him," said Sam.
"I wish I could fathom him," said Abel. "He's mysterious; them roads and maps is all a blind, I feel sure."
"What makes you think so?" asked Sam.
"Nothing in particular. He keeps on tracing and tracking, and marking out spots in red ink, but I can't make head or tail of 'em," said Abel.
"Leaves them about, does he?" asked the trainer.
"Sometimes."
"There can't be much harm in what he's doing," said Fred.
Abel shook his head doubtfully.
"If he hadn't been here before the war began I'd have him put down as a spy—I'm not quite sure he isn't."
"Spying what?" asked Sam.
"The lay of the land," replied Abel.
"What for? How will that help? You don't think the Germans will come inside England?" laughed Fred.
"Not by land. They may come overhead and do some damage. What about these Zepplins they've been building for a long time?" said Abel.
The trainer laughed; so did Sam Kerridge.
"You can laugh," said Abel, "but it's my belief they'll do some damage with 'em before long."
"And you imagine Meason is planning out routes for them—is that it?" asked the trainer.
"Something of the sort. Wouldn't put it past him," said Abel.
"I can't agree with you. If he were doing that he wouldn't leave his work about," said Sam.
"He leaves about what he likes. I'll bet he has some things he would not like to be seen," said Abel.
"It's a dangerous thing to be a spy," said Sam; "and I don't think he looks like one. He'd have no time for courting if he'd a job like that."
"For two pins I'd give information against him," said Abel. "If I get half a chance, and enough evidence to go on I'll do it."
"It is a serious charge to make," said Sam, and the trainer agreed.
As they walked home they continued the conversation, and Sam gave Fred to understand there was something suspicious about Carl Meason's movements.
"But it doesn't look much like spying. He's after Jane Thrush and means matrimony—he'd have no time on his hands for that," said Sam.
Carl Meason left the Inn and walked to the keeper's cottage. He saw him leave, gun under arm, and as he wanted the coast clear it suited his purpose. Jane opened the door when he tapped—she had come to know the sound.
"Father's gone out," she said.
"I saw him. I am glad; I want a few words with you alone," he replied.
"I am going away for a time on business and I want you to go with me.
I shall be lost without you."
"I cannot go away with you; you know that," she answered.
"Oh, yes, you can—as my wife?" he said. So he did wish to marry her.
She was gratified. She had thought of late such was not his intention.
"You'll marry me?" she asked.
"That's what I've come for to-night, to ask you to be my wife."
She was silent. It was an important step to take. She liked him, but she was not sure she loved him, and she was a little afraid of him. She had caught glimpses of the brute in him once or twice; it revolted her.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To the sea. We can spend our honeymoon there."
"Where?"
"I cannot tell you until we are on the way. I want nobody round here to know my whereabouts," he said.
"And you wish me to go with you as your wife?"
"Yes."
"When do you start?"
"In a week or so."
"Then I will give you my answer in a day or two," she said quietly.
He remained late, trying to persuade her to say she would be his wife.
He had to leave without being satisfied, and he was annoyed.