THE SHADOW OF HIS CRIME by John W. Bobin

Author:John W. Bobin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sexton Blake Detective Library
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Laurence Riverton's Love

No one at Newmarket dreamed of questioning whether Mr. Cyrus O'Mega, the gentleman who had recently bought up a well-appointed racing stable and a palatial mansion attached, was an American, and precisely what he seemed-a wealthy man whose sole object was to follow the sport he loved.

His manner and little eccentricities of speech seemed to proclaim his nationality without a shadow of a doubt; and had any of the "lads" employed by him been told that he was in reality a Britisher, that in London he was known under the alias of Henry Melson, that Cyrus O'Mega was merely another alias, and that his true identity was Jasper Clench, ex-convict and swindler, they would not have believed their informant.

Indeed, they might have questioned his veracity in a manner that was far more forcible than polite, for Mr. O'Mega had always proved, despite a tendency to sternness, that he was fair and just to the last degree.

There was not a lad in the stables, too, who would not have risked his very life for his employer's charming daughter. Violet O'Mega-as they knew her here at Newmarket-was as gentle and kind as she was dainty and beautiful, always ready to listen to the troubles of others, or to lend a helping hand to those in need. In addition to this, she was a born horsewoman, and could sit the most troublesome steed as though it were part of herself, a fact that speedily earned her the admiration of all the stable hands.

The O'Mega stables were situated in a valley upon the heath, at no great distance from the famous racecourse. Usually there were from ten to a dozen thoroughbreds in training here, and, though he was practically a newcomer to the Turf, Mr. Cyrus O'Mega's candidates had already won for him several good races. At the moment, Cyanin, a smart three-year old, which the reputed millionaire had recently purchased, was considered something of a "good thing" for the Gold Cup, to be decided upon the following Tuesday, although "the heads" admitted that it would find Serious Symons, a racer trained at Riverton's stables, very hard to beat.

There had already been quite a lot of betting at the London clubs upon the forthcoming event, for now that racing had been so curtailed owing to the war, an occasional meeting at headquarters was thought quite a lot of. Cyanin and Serious Symons were to-day quoted as co-favourites at four to one, and considered by many keen judges to be wonderfully evenly matched.

The weather, if the present conditions lasted, promised to be excellent for the meeting, which commenced upon the following Tuesday.

All day long the sun had been shining radiantly, and the heath looked gloriously fresh and green. It was drawing towards late afternoon and a gentle breeze had sprung up-a breeze that was deliciously scented with the smell of the rolling turf, and was at once refeshing and invigorating.

The lads had completed their work for the day, and the stable-yard was

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