"Will they hear the result?" asked Eve.
"Oh, yes; you've no idea how news gets round; it's remarkable where it comes from—Lord only knows," said Alan.
There was much speculation in Newmarket during the evening as to the next day's match. Southerly Buster had run such a race that it was considered Rainstorm, who was the better horse, had a splendid chance of beating Bandmaster. Many people doubted the Hunt Cup winner's capability to stay two miles. Mr. Hallam was so impressed with Southerly Buster's performance that he laid several big wagers Rainstorm would win. Alan was not oversanguine, although Fred Skane declared Bandmaster's task was easier than The Duke's.
Baron Childs invited Alan, Evelyn Berkeley, and the Hallams to stay with him for the night; he also had other friends there. During the evening there was some wagering on the next day's match and opinions were about equally divided.
The Baron was particularly attentive to Eve. Alan smiled as he said to himself:
"He does not know we are engaged. Eve is mine; there's no chance for anybody else."
Alan walked to Skane's after dinner and had a long talk with him over the running of his horses.
"Think we'd better put Robin Hood over the sticks," he said. "I've found out he's a good fencer; there'll be some meetings under National Hunt rules during the winter and next spring."
Alan was pleased at the suggestion; he loved a ride over the sticks or steeple-chase course, and Robin Hood was just the mount for him.