He consulted Dr Tom, and that worthy man agreed with Sal; he had no special liking for Rodney Shaw. Constable Doonan had noticed Rodney Shaw coming from the direction of Barker's Creek on several occasions, and wondered what he had been doing in that quarter. Jim Dennis meant to have an explanation from the owner of Cudgegong; he did not mean to allow Rodney Shaw, or any other man, to insult Sal, or to prowl around his place during his absence. When the races were over he would have more time on his hands, and meant to inquire into these matters. He had no desire to quarrel with anyone before the cup was decided, because it might possibly put obstacles in the way of Neptune winning. The horse had been well tried, and had done a capital preparation, and Willie seemed to handle him with the skill of an old hand. The lad was confident of winning, and when he saw the new yellow jacket his father had purchased for him he was delighted.

This jacket had been specially made in Sydney, and arrived in charge of Ned Glenn. 'There you are, Willie,' said Ned, as he handed him the parcel. 'You will find something in there that will please you, I reckon.'

Jim Dennis, Sal and Ned Glenn eyed the lad admiringly when he put the yellow jacket on, and he looked well in it, quite a model of a youthful jockey.

The day before the races Jim Dennis with his son and Neptune rode over to Swamp Creek and put up at the Gum Tree Hotel.

There was quite a crowd around the place waiting for the horse to arrive, and the comments pa.s.sed on the appearance of Neptune were on the whole favourable.

There was a lot of wagering at night at the hotel, and, the township being full of visitors, many strangers were present.

Jim Dennis had taken special precautions that his horse should be well looked after, and Dr Tom's black boy was left on guard with strict injunctions not to leave the door of the box on any pretext whatever.

There he sat like a black sentinel with old Baalim at his side, and the pair kept off all inquiring visitors.

Jim Dennis knew that Abe Dalton was bent upon winning the race with The Captain, and would not stick at a trifle to accomplish the end. Most of the horses were backed, and there was every prospect of an exciting race. Willie was at Dr Tom's house and was to remain there for the night.

'He's better there than in the hotel. You never can tell what fellows like Dalton may get up to,' said the doctor, as he and Jim went round to the Gum Tree to see how the wagering was going.

The place was packed, and Aaron Hyam was doing a brisk trade behind the bar and also with his bookmaking. First Cla.s.s was a hot favourite at three to one, and seemed likely to see a much shorter price.

Rodney Shaw was present, and backed Distant Sh.o.r.e freely, and offered to back his horse for a hundred against any one of the runners.

Jim Dennis had not met him since Sal had warned him that the master of Cudgegong was no friend of his. In his straightforward way Jim would have had it out with him there and then, but Dr Tom counselled patience, and Jim knew his advice was good. Shaw came up to them in a friendly way, and was evidently unaware that Sal had reported his misconduct or expressed any doubt about him.

He had been indulging somewhat freely and was in a boisterous mood.

'Now then, Dennis, I'll give you a chance,' he said. 'No one else seems willing to take it on. I'll bet you a level hundred, or any part of it, that Distant Sh.o.r.e beats Neptune.'

'Considering the odds, you ought to lay me a hundred to fifty,' said Jim. 'You have Madsley riding, and my lad has not his experience.'

'I'm not particular,' said Shaw. 'I'll bet you a hundred to fifty if you like that Distant Sh.o.r.e beats your horse.'

'Very well, it's a wager,' said Jim.

'I'll lay you a hundred to ten against Neptune,' said Aaron Hyam.

'That will suit me,' replied Jim.

'I'll take that too,' said Dr Tom.

The people crowded round them, and there was a lot of jostling and pushing in a good-humoured way.

Abe Dalton was there, but wisely kept in the background. He had no desire to risk an encounter with Jim Dennis.

Dalton would have given a good deal to ensure Neptune being beaten, and when he saw Dr Tom and Jim together it occurred to him that Willie Dennis was probably alone at the doctor's house.

He went out at the back and quickly made his way in that direction. He had no very distinct idea what he intended doing, but he was determined Willie Dennis must be incapacitated from riding.

'If the lad can't ride Neptune,' said Dalton, 'the horse will not run, because he won't be able to find another jockey.'

He had not forgotten his oath to Dr Tom, but he had kept it so long that he felt absolved from it, and to a man like Dalton oaths do not count for much.

He went stealthily as he neared the house, and, cautiously treading up the steps on to the verandah, he looked in at the open door.

Willie Dennis was asleep in a cane chair, and Abe Dalton, creeping round, saw one of the doctor's pestles, which he used for pounding various things in a mortar. He picked it up, and then, approaching the lad from behind, hit him a violent blow on the head.

Willie fell forward out of the chair, face downwards, on to the floor.

Abe Dalton rolled him over, and, looking at him, said to himself,--

'He'll get over it all right, but I reckon it's settled him for to-morrow.'

He put the pestle back in its place, and quickly leaving the house hurried back to the Gum Tree Hotel.

Constable Doonan happened to meet him, and Abe Dalton could not avoid him.

'You are in a hurry,' said Doonan. 'Going to back The Captain, I suppose?'

'Yes,' said Dalton, 'and I'd advise you to do the same.'

'I shall have my bit on Neptune,' said Doonan. 'I want to see young Willie Dennis win the cup.'

'He'll not win it,' said Dalton. 'He's had no experience. Take my tip and put your bit on The Captain,' and he went on his way towards the hotel.

'He'll not know where I have been,' said Dalton to himself. 'Lucky he did not meet me near the doctor's place or he might have suspected something.'

The hotel was still full, and Dalton again backed his horse with two or three bookmakers.

'You seem pretty sanguine of winning,' said Shaw to him.

'Yes, I am. He's a good horse.'

'I think mine will beat you, but I don't much care what wins if Neptune is out of it.'

'You seem to have a "down" on Dennis lately.'

'He's a precious sight too good for this world,' said Rodney Shaw.

'Thinks such a mighty lot of himself. I'll tell you what, Abe Dalton, I've a piece of work for you to do, if you care to undertake it. It will be a risky job, but you are accustomed to take risks, and I am accustomed to having my own way.'

'What is it?' asked Dalton. 'We can't talk here.'

They went out at the back, and Rodney Shaw said in a low voice,--

'I want that half-caste woman of Jim Dennis's. Can you get her for me?

I'll give you a stiff price.'

Abe Dalton laughed as he said, 'She's not worth taking any risks about.'

'Oh, yes, she is, and I have taken a fancy to her. Can you get her?'