“'And he's as fresh on his legs—'
“'As if he were not twenty-six years old,' he broke in.
“'Twenty-six fiddle-sticks! Look at his mouth; he has an eight-year-old mouth.'
“'I know it,' said he, dryly; 'and so he had fourteen years ago. Will you take fifty sovereigns for him?' he added, drawing out a handful of gold from his pocket.
“'No,' said I, firmly; 'nor sixty, nor seventy, nor eighty!'
“'I am sorry to have intruded upon you,' said he, rising, 'and I beg you to excuse me. The simple fact is, that I am one who gains his living by horses, and it is only possible for me to exist by the generosity of those who deal with me.'
“This appeal was a home thrust, and I said, 'What can you afford to give?'
“'All I have here,' said he, producing a handful of gold, and spreading it on the table.
“We set to counting, and there were sixty-seven sovereigns in the mass. I swept off the money into the palm of my hand, and said, 'The beast is yours.'
“He drew a long breath, as if to relieve his heart of a load of care, and said, 'Men of my stamp, and who lead such lives as I do, are rarely superstitious.'