“Daisy falls back!” shouts one, swinging his field glass aloft.
“Denver Bay leads!” shouts another, amid the wildest cheers.
Nick Carter stands close by the side of Amos as the horses turn into the home-stretch.
The detective sees that the man’s face is as pale as death, and that his hands are trembling.
“You beat me on the jumping match,” said Nick, turning to the excited man, “but I’ll bet you an even ten that Denver Bay wins the race.”
Amos makes no reply.
He pushes his way hither and yon in the crowd, muttering incoherently to himself.
“It must be time,” Nick hears him say, as the thunder of hoofs grows louder. “If it don’t happen, they’ll all blame me.”
With straining muscles and glaring eyes, the horses pound up the track, Denver Bay still in the lead.
“This is ruin!” gasps Amos, now utterly regardless of the people about him.