The tout had tightly hold of Trimmer’s collar as he spoke, and now, by a clever kick, he sent his legs from under him and pressed him down upon his knees, shivering, helpless, and whiter than ever.
“Now, my lady—now, all of you, here’s the real true tip: Sir Rilton here warn’t tight. He was hocussed with a dose o’ powder, so as he shouldn’t be able to ride La Sylphidey, and them’s the two as done it. That’s my tip.”
“A lie! You scoundrel! A lie!”
“I don’t understand him,” panted Lady Lisle.
“Hocussed him instead of the horse, my lady,” said the trainer, coolly. “You see, I couldn’t get at the mare to save myself from a heavy pull. Yes, my lady; yes, doctor, I mixed the dose, and I can assure you, Sir Hilton, that cham was real good.”
“But oh, daddy,” cried poor Molly, bursting into tears, “don’t say you did a thing like that!”
“’Bliged to, my gal; but I should never ha’ thought on it if it had not been for that smooth-tongued Trimmer. There, Sir Hilton. I’m very sorry, but I throw up the sponge.”
“Now, Laura,” cried Sir Hilton; “can’t you forgive me now?”