"Sevens the favourite," replied the old ostler, producing it. "The rest any price."
The youth glanced at the betting news.
"Sevens it is," he said. "Price shortening. I suppose the stable's got all the money they want on her, and so they don't bother to tell no more lies."
Albert opened the saddle-room door. Cherry passed in. The lad followed, and locked the door behind him.
"Now don't mind me," he said. "I'm busy."
CHAPTER XXX
The Bible Class
In the old days, when Mat had been in his prime, there had not seldom been as many as a hundred horses on occasion billeted in and around Putnam's.
At that time Mat had done a bit of dealing in addition to his training, and had kept hunters as well as 'chasers.
The Lads' Barn, as it was called, was at the back of the old hunter-stables, somewhat removed from the yard, and opening on to the Paddock Close.