Without an upward glance, Skinner inquired:
"Did the man you trained for the Sheffield Handicap win?"
"Never mind that. Does this frame-up go through?" It happened that Speed, drawn irresistibly, had come forward to hang upon every word, and now chose this moment to interrupt.
"It's all right, Mr. Skinner—" But Skinner leaped to his feet.
"Don't try anything like that!" he cried, in a terrible voice that brought Gabby Gallagher striding toward them.
"What's goin' on here? Are they try in' to fix you, Skinner?"
"Not a bit like it," Glass protested stoutly. "I only asked him which side he'd rather run on, and now he calls for police protection."
"Don't try it again, that's all!" the cook warned, sullenly.
"I reckon I'll take a hand in this!" Gallagher was in a fine rage, and would have fallen upon the offender had not Stover stepped in his path.
"I reckon you won't!" he said easily.