Hereupon the Bo'sun took off the glazed hat, inserted a hairy paw, and brought forth a single, red rose.
So Barnabas took the rose, and bowed his head above it, and straightway forgot the throng and bustle about him, and all things else, yea even the great race itself until, feeling a touch upon his arm, he turned to find the Earl of Bamborough beside him.
"He is very pale, Mr. Beverley!" said his Lordship, and, glancing whither he looked, Barnabas saw the Viscount who was already mounted upon his bay horse "Moonraker."
"Can you tell me, sir," pursued the Earl, "how serious his hurt really is?"
"I know that he was shot, my Lord," Barnabas answered, "and that he received a violent blow upon his wounded arm this morning, but he is very reticent."
Here the Viscount chanced to catch sight of them, and, with his groom at "Moonraker's" head, paced up to them.
"Viscount," said his Lordship, looking up at his son with wise, dark eyes, "your arm is troubling you, I see."
"Indeed, sir, it might be—a great deal worse."
"Still, you will be under a disadvantage, for it will be a punishing race for horse and man."
"Yes, sir."