These contemplations turned his head. He resolved to dash in and become a millionaire.
The race-courses upon which his initial trials were made were situated at an easy distance from London—Kempton Park, Sandown, Epsom, Croydon, Ascot, Hampton, Windsor, and other such meetings, from which, when the last race was run, he could reach Miser Farebrother's office at seven or eight o'clock in the evening.
"I'm going to commence my system in real earnest," said Jeremiah to Captain Ablewhite. "No more shillyshallying."
"Brave boy!" replied Captain Ablewhite admiringly. "Where?"
"Well," questioned Jeremiah, seeking information. "Where?"
"Come with me to Doncaster," said Captain Ablewhite. "Glorious place! No end of swells there, waiting to hand you their money. A fortune ready made for you. We'll have a rare week. I know to a certainty what's going to win the Leger. A dark 'un."
"Doncaster's a long way off," said Jeremiah ruminatively.
"All the better. You can manage it: throw over the office for five days. What is life without beer and skittles? You will come back rolling in money."
Jeremiah did manage it. Miser Farebrother had one of his worst attacks, and there was no likelihood of his being able to leave his room the Doncaster week. Away went Jeremiah on Monday, in the company of Captain Ablewhite and three other swells, to commence the solid foundation of the great fortune in store for him. He had made his preparations for the grand coup, and had possessed himself of no less a sum than two thousand pounds in ready cash. How he had obtained this money need not be too curiously inquired into; sufficient to say that it was his master's, and that forgery was the means by which he had come into possession of it. He had "borrowed" it for a week. When the Doncaster Meeting was over, he would be able to replace it. He had confided to his mother that he was leaving London for a few days, and had instructed her to communicate regularly with him at Doncaster, giving her the address of an inn at which he and Captain Ablewhite intended to stop. She had implored him to confide in her the nature of the business which took him away; but he was obdurate, and he sternly refused to let her into the secret.
"All it is necessary for you to know," he said to her, "is that when you see me next I shall have twenty thousand pounds of my own."