"What should you say was his system?" asked Mr. Stack.
"I don't know no more than yerselves."
This admission seemed a little chilling; for everyone had thought himself many steps nearer El Dorado.
"But did you ever notice," said Mr. Ketley, "that there was certain days on which he bet?"
"No, I never noticed that."
"Are they outsiders that he backs?" asked Stack.
"No, only favourites. But what I can't make out is that there are times when he won't touch them; and when he don't, nine times out of ten they're beaten."
"Are the 'orses he backs what you'd call well in?" said Journeyman.
"Not always."
"Then it must be on information from the stable authorities?" said Stack.