"I'm safe," thought Hector. "Sir Robert ought to have been one of the first to recognize me."
Next morning they were all on the moor early. Four horses were to take part in the trial: Tristram, Tearaway, Rodney and Admiral, and the filly was giving weight to all except Sir Robert's great horse.
"By jove, she has grown into a beauty!" exclaimed the baronet when he saw the beautiful black filly with Fred Erickson, the popular Yorkshire jockey, in the saddle. Erickson lived at Haverton village, but was not often at home, as he had an enormous amount of riding, going to scale under eight stone easily.
"Good morning, Fred," said Sir Robert. "You're on a nice filly."
"She is, Sir Robert; one of the best."
"Can she beat Tristram? You've ridden him."
"I wouldn't go so far as that, but she'll give him a good race," said the jockey.
Abel Dent came from Beaumont Hall to ride Tristram in the gallop. He was always on the horse's back in his work and knew him thoroughly.
"You'll have to keep him going, Abe," said Sir Robert, smiling.
"I'll keep 'em all going," was the confident reply.