THE MAN FROM NEWMARKET

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15320, 22 August 1923, Page 3

THE MAN FROM NEWMARKET

Principal Characters. JUSTIN OVERTON, a wealthy mystery' man, who settles at Newmarket. ROGER SIDCUP, a young spendthrift, receives a racing tip from Overton, and they become freinds. Overton telegraphs to postpone an appointment, but they meet by accident, and Overton, who js with a handsome woman, will riot recognise him. At least so Roger believes. MARTIN AYLETT, a successful trainer, who starts a racing establishment for Overton.

CHAPTER 111. “Which train did you come by?" asked Roger. Overton told him. "I thought you were on my train. I am certain I saw yiju pass my compartment as you went along the corridor," answered Roger. “Jr you are certain you saw me, I suppose I must have been there," said Justin, smiling. “You got out at Newmarket. I followed and saw you go along the High-street and enter the Rutland Arms."

“Really! That’s remarkable. What is the matter with you?"

“You are quite sure you did not travel by my train?" asked Roger. “Certainly. I have been here two or three hours."

“And you did not go to the Rutland?" “No.” "Well, I’m—" “All right. Don’t get excited," said Justin. "Tell me about it and how you came to make the mistake." Roger explained his movements from the time he left his hotel until he arrived at Newmarket. He spoke about seeing Justin on the steps ot the hotel with the lady.

For some minutes Justin made no reply. He had listened attentively to everything Roger told him. “It is very strange," he mused. "The man must have been remarkably like me.”

“He was. I never saw two men more alike. I can hardly believe it yet. You are not chaffing me?” pursued Roger. “Can you describe the lady?" asked Justin.

Roger did so, but this appeared to convey nothing to his host.

"I would like to see this man—my double," confessed Justin. “He went into the Rutland Arms. No doubt be is there now.”

“We will walk down after dinner,’ declared Justin.

It was close upon ten o’clock when they entered the hotel and went into the smoking-room. In answer to the bell, the waiter came. He stared at Justin. There was no doubt about iiis surprise.

“What’s the matter, Jim? Have you seen a ghost?" asked Justin, laughing, while Roger looked on curiously. "As near one as I'm ever likely to. Mr. Overton," was the reply. "You are Mr. Overton?” “Oh, yes. There’s no mistake about that," said Justin.

“You were hero an hour ago?” queried Jim. “I was dining with my friend Mr. Sidcup at that hour at Gremorne." “Then who was the " began Jim, and iiesitated. ■■ Uo on,” requested Justin.

“Ask Mr. Balham. I'll give it up. it's too , deep for mo,” replied Jim, as lie left them. Mr. Balham came in. He, too, showed much surprise at seeing Justin. "What’s all this mystery?" asked Justin, smiling. “Jim tells me you dined at Cromorno to-night?” "That is so.” “But you dined here.” “Mr. Overton dined with mo at Gremorne,” broke in Roger; “or, to be more correct, I dined with him." “Then who was the man who dined here?" "I do not know. We came to see,” answered Justin. “He’s gone out. I thought it was you, Mr. Overton, I really did. 1 never saw two men more alike; its wonderful. Face, build, height, voice, all exact. I’d have sworn it was you,” said Balham. "Will he return?” asked Justin. "I didn’t ask him. I thought you were going home." “He gave no name?” “No, lie did not book a room.” “Then be will not return, and im can’t leave Newmarket to-night by train,” argued Justin. “Wc-wiiL come in to-morrow morning and see if ho is still here.” When they left Mr. Balham held a consultation. All the people who had seen the man declared he was Mr. Overton.

“But lie’s just left, and he says he dined at home!” exclaimed Balham, The men laughed.

“lie’s pulling your leg, Teddy, that’s what he’s doing. It was Overton right enough," said one. “But there’s no reason for it. What’s his object?” "Overton’s a curious man. He’s been in Newmarket a good while, and nobody knows any more about him than when he came. I don’t like secretive men."

’’He’s all right. I like him," protested Balham stoutly. it was a nice night, and Justin Overton and Roger walked along the Iligh-sircet until they came to the Heath; a fresh breeze blew across and refreshed them. it was close open midnight when they neared home. They heard the gate clang and saw a man hurrying across the green towards the stables on the opposite side. “Somebody from over the way lias been to see Aylett, I suppose. lie doesn’t often keep late hours,” observed Justin. Next morning Roger was up early. Aylett mounted him on a short thickset cob, and they rode with the string 1 to the Heath. The trainer had known hut lit tic of Roger, although he had been introduced and met him at race meetings. He had not seen him since lie had bei come private trainer to Justin Over- | ton. “It’s not often Mr. Overton misses n morning with Hie horses,” said Marlin. “He was up late lasi night- • That accounts for it. 1 thought hr | seemed a hit strange and different in i some way. Perhaps Ascot week is responsible for it. Even the stcadl-

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est men sometimes let themselves go a bit there.”

* Roger looked at hiim curiously. Had Mr. Overton been to see him after lie, Roger, had gone upstairs? lie did not think it likely. Ho was almost sure he had beard him go into his own room and close the door, “What time did Mr. Overton sec you last night?” askccl Roger. “ About eleven, or a bit after, when he came in," replied the trainer. Roger was silent. At that time he and Overton were on the Heath. It must have been the other man. “What time did he leave you?" ' asked Roger. “About midnight.” “It must have been the same man we saw hurrying across the green," thought Roger, determining to keep the matter to himself and hear what Overton had to say about it. Martin Aylctt, in his younger days, was a jockey of repute, and had ridden good horses, winning important events. His experience was that young men of Roger Sidcup's class knew very little about them, although | pretending to knowledge which they • did not passess. | “lie goes well. By Jove! lie's a good ’uni” exolaiimed Roger, pointing to a bright hay horse, stretching out with a couple of the useful sort , alongside. j “That’s Crasher. You are right, lie’s a good horse. I've not got his ' measure yet. He gives the go-by to all .our lot," replied the trainer. ! “A. queer name Crasher. How’s i he bred?" “By The Crash out of Peerless." I “Peerless. I don’t seein to re-

• member her." ! "I daresay not,” returned Martin. ■ “She’d he racing before you look much interest in the game." j “Then she's an old-inare?" “In the sere and yellow leaf,” ! quoted Martin. "She was twenty when that fellow was horn." I “And he’s—?’’ i " Four years old." j “Is Peerless still aiive?” t “Yes. She’s at Mr. Overton's stud at Chalk Meadow.” , “Good-morning, Mr. Aylctt." I The trainer looked round. “Oh. it's you, Con. What’s the news?" , he asked, smiling.

Con Tone got on well with Martin. This was unusual, as he had no liking for touts as a rule.

| "Nothing fresh, Crasuer goes beti ter every time I see him," answered j Con Tone. ! “Y'ou keep your eye on him,” ob- ■ jeclcd the trainer. “It would please I me if you gave more attention to some of the others." ! “Why, what’s the matter with . Crasher?"

“Nothing particular; but he’s a nervous sort of animal, and can’t hear to he kept under observation. It makes him fidgety," answered Martin, solemnly. Roger laughed, and the trainer said to Con;

“This is Mr. Sidcup.. Y'ou ought lo remember him. lie owned Cremorne and sold it to Mr. Overton.”

"Yes, I remember him,” said Con. and then turning lo Sidcup, added, “hut you’ve altered a lot." "Have J ? I’ve grown older and I hope wiser,” returned Roger.

“I iiope so," echoed Con. “Do you think there was room for it?” asked Con, with a smile. “It’s not for mo to say," replied Con. Roger 'dismounted and looked Crasher over as the lad slipped from his hack. The horse was a beautiful bay with a white star, but there was no other mark on him. He stood over sixteen hands, and was built in proportion; he had a strong back and quarters, and was greyhound looking. “A bit tucked up," was the general opinion, jbut Mar.Mn Aylett did not Ihink so. His legs were sound, without a blemish on them, and his shouders were just the right slope; and he, had a fine head, with bright, intelligent eyes. As lie tossed -his head and looked about him, Roger thought he liatl seldom seen a handsomer horse. “Well?” inquired the trainer. “He stands looking at. He has a fault for he’s a bit light there,” ana Roger pointed to his hindquarters.

Martin smiled as he said: “Rots of people think so." “You don’t?"

“No. He's all right there. He’ll carry a big weight some day. When he does he'll do it well,” declared the trainer.

When the team finished exercise, Roger rode back to the stables with the trainer. During the excitement of watching the fast work he had forgotten about Justin Overton’s visit to the trainer last night. He was about to ask a question, hut changed his mind. It would he better to speak to Overton first.

Roger walked on to the house from the stables. lie knew the ropes and went into the breakfast room. Justin Overton had not put in an appearance. Mrs. Holly, the housekeeper, came in. “Mr. Overton was called to London quite unexpectedly,” she explained. “He asked me to apologise. He said he would bo back to-night, possibly for dinner, and hoped you would consider the house your own and do as you like. Is there , anything I can get for you?” “I’ll leave it in your hands. I shall he quite safe,” complimented Roger, smiling. “He received a telegram?”

"Yes. II came as soon as the office opened,” she replied. As Roger ale a hearty meal he wondered what railed Ids host to London in such a hurry. Had it any connection with the visit of the oilier man who was so remarkably like ldm?

Roger was uneasy. lie went for a long ride hut could nnl shake off liic feeling, which amounted to depression as the day wore on. The last train arrived from London, and still Justin Overton had not returned. (To be continued to-morrow.)