In front of the barn Alec saw Henry and Jim Neville. Both of them were going to Chicago with Alec and the Black. Then there was Joe Russo and another man with a camera. Just to the side of them stood a large horse van. Alec and his father greeted the small group.

“Everything all set, Alec?” Henry asked.

“I suppose you took that exam in your stride today,” Jim Neville kidded.

“Hope so,” Alec answered. But his thoughts were turning forward. He nodded toward the van. “Guess we’re going to the train in style, heh, Henry?”

“Sure!” Henry said. “And we’re going out to Chicago in style, too. Jim tells me we have our own private car waiting for us at the station!”

“No!” Alec exclaimed.

“Yep. Isn’t that so, Jim?”

“Yes,” Jim replied. “Cyclone and Sun Raider got out to Chicago in special cars; there’s no reason why the Black shouldn’t. Besides, a lot of people are coming from far and wide to see these three horses, so they have to be at their best.”

“That’s fine with me,” Alec said.

“Look what Jim gave us,” Henry said. He held out a heavy, black horse blanket with a white border around it and white letters in the middle spelling THE BLACK.

“Gee, Jim, that’s great,” Alec said.

“Can’t let ’em have anything on the Black.” Jim smiled.

The stallion whinnied when Alec entered the barn. Alec took a soft cloth and wiped it over his large body. “Well, fella,” he said, “we’re off to the races.” Henry tossed him the new blanket and Alec snapped it around the stallion. “There,” he said proudly, “that’ll keep you nice and warm.”

“Sure makes him look like the real stuff,” Henry said.

“He is the real stuff.” Alec stroked the stallion’s neck.

Then he led him out of the barn. The Black reared when he saw the small crowd. Then he lifted his legs high and stepped gingerly in a circle.

“Let us take some pictures for the paper, will you, Alec?” Joe Russo asked.

“Sure,” Alec answered. “Come on, Henry, you get into it, too.”

Ten minutes passed while the photographer snapped pictures. Even Alec’s father got into them. “Hope you’ll be able to use these photos,” Alec smiled, “after Saturday.”

The Black reared again as the boy started to lead him up into the van. He neighed loudly and his head turned toward the barn; his ears pricked forward and his eyes shifted from Alec to the barn.

“What’s the matter, fella?” Alec asked.

“I know,” Henry said. “Every time we’ve put him into the truck, he’s had Napoleon with him. Now he’s wondering where he is!”

“You’re right!” Alec said. “But we just have to get him in anyway. Come on, Black.” But the stallion reared again, and when he came down he pushed his head into Alec’s chest, shoving him back toward the barn.

“Napoleon isn’t in there, fella,” Alec said. “He’s out working with Tony.” But the Black only pushed harder.