Dr Tom had seen Rodney Shaw several times, but did not know him well. Something in his voice seemed to recall memories. He had only been to Cudgegong three or four times, and had never seen much of the owner of that station. 'Where the deuce have I met him, years ago?' thought Dr Tom.
Of course it could only be fancy, he knew that, but still he could not get rid of the idea that Rodney Shaw was a man he had known in days gone by.
'You think Distant Shore will win?' asked Adye Dauntsey.
'Yes. With Madsley up, I have a really good chance.'
'It promises to be a most interesting race,' said Dr Tom.
'The handicap is not bad considering the committee framed it,' said Shaw.
'I think they have done their work well,' said the doctor. 'Do you think it could have been improved upon?'
'Oh, no, I would not suggest that for a moment,' said Rodney Shaw. He was looking hard at Willie, who sat very still with his hands fixed firmly one on each arm of his chair.
'He'll ride but he'll never win,' was Rodney Shaw's inward comment. 'He must be a plucky little chap'—this he thought grudgingly.