“HowhashegotonsinceIwasatFulham？“askedMr。Speedwell。
“First-rate，Sir!Itwasoneofhisbaddayswhenyousawhim。Hehasdonewondersinthelasteight-and-fortyhours。“
“Ishegoingtowintherace？“
PrivatelythedoctorhaddonewhatPerryhaddonebeforehim——hehadbackedGeoffrey’santagonist。Publiclyhewastruetohiscolors。HecastadisparaginglookatFleetwood——andansweredYes，withouttheslightesthesitation。
Atthatpoint，theconversationwassuspendedbyasuddenmovementintheinclosure。Therunnerswereontheirwaytothestarting-place。Themomentoftheracehadcome。