“An' I lay against the Hanover colt?”
Again Crane nodded.
“It's not bookmaking,” continued Faust.
“I'm not a bookmaker,” retorted Crane. “And see here, Faust,” he continued, “when you've got my money on the Porter mare—when and how I leave to you—I want you to cut her price short—do you understand? Make her go to the post two to one on, if you can; don't forget that.”
“If the mare goes wrong?” objected Faust.
“I don't think she will, but you needn't be in a hurry—there's plenty of time.”
“What's the limit?” asked Faust.
“I want her backed down to even money at least,” Crane answered; “probably ten thousand will do it. At any rate you can go that far.”
Then for a few days Langdon prepared his new horse for the Eclipse according to his idea of Crane's idea; and Dixon rounded Lucretia to in a manner that gladdened John Porter's heart. They knew nothing of anything but that Lucretia was very fit, that they had Boston Bill's jockey to ride straight and honest for them, and that with a good price against the mare they would recoup all their losses.