Ella Hallam spent much of her time at The Forest with Eve Berkeley and they were firm friends. Ella knew of Eve's engagement to Alan and heartily congratulated her. Whatever she might have thought about Alan's attentions to herself she never for a moment doubted his inclinations were toward Eve; being a loyal-hearted woman she accepted the situation.
Fred Skane came to Trent Park to see Sam Kerridge. They were cronies, had been for years.
"I suppose you'll win both matches," said Sam.
"Pretty sure of it. Bandmaster will beat Rainstorm anyhow whichever way the other goes," answered Fred.
"Queer Bandmaster should turn out a stayer," said Sam.
"He's bred to stay," replied Fred.
"But he's a Hunt Cup winner and I'd hardly have expected him to be up to two miles."
"Well he is—no mistake about it. I've tried him and I know," said the trainer.
"And you don't often make mistakes, Fred."
"I'm just as liable to be mistaken as other men, but when I've something to go upon I'm not far out," replied the trainer.