Lord Mablethorpe, who had been watching Sir James, said quickly: “Careful, Max! You don’t know, after all, what kind of a pair he may be setting against your greys!”
“Well, I hope they may be good enough to give me a race,” said Ravenscar.
“Just good enough for that,” smiled Sir James. “What odds will you offer against my unknown pair?”
“Five to one,” replied Ravenscar.
Even Sir James was startled. Lord Mablethorpe gave a groan, and exclaimed: “Max, you’re mad!”
“Or drunk,” suggested the man in the puce coat, shaking his head.
“Nonsense!” said Ravenscar.
“Are you serious?” demanded Filey. “Never more so.”
“Then, by God, I’ll take you! The race to be run a week from today, over a course to be later decided on. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” nodded Ravenscar.