“There’s nothing to it.” Her sister laughed. “The horse that gets around the track first wins! I don’t go myself much, but this is something nobody should miss. For the first and only time Sun Raider and Cyclone are going to meet. You’ve heard of them. It’ll probably be the grandest horse race of all times. And if you think we’re not going to see it when we only live a quarter of a mile away from the track, why—” She looked out of the window. “Look at those crowds! Come, Belle, let’s get our hats and coats and go so that we get our seats.”

Mrs. Ramsay shook her head as she went for her hat and coat. “If my husband or son ever finds out about my seeing this race, I won’t have a moment’s peace when I get home. I’ll have to take that horse of Alec’s right into the house! I told you, Bess, how they’re both so crazy over him. I have all I can do now to keep everything under control.… They’d certainly love to see this race!

“It’s too bad they’re not here, but they are always too busy to have any fun.…”

A plane dropped out of the cloudless sky. Swiftly it circled the field and then came roaring down and rolled to a stop.

The passengers hurried toward the door. “Just about time to make it, if we hurry,” one of them said.

The stewardess called, “Bus is waiting directly ahead to take you to the track!” The passengers sprinted for the car.

Alec’s father darted into a seat behind the driver. “Think we’ll get there before they start?” he asked.

“Yeah, I think so. They always take some time getting those temperamental babies on the track!” the driver answered.

“Sun Raider always puts up a terrific fight beforehand anyway,” the man who slipped into the seat next to him said. “He’s a lot wilder than Cyclone.”

“Might as well do his fighting, then,” said a man behind them. “He won’t be anywhere near Cyclone once they’re off!”

“Oh, yeah? It’ll be Sun Raider by two lengths today!” He turned to Mr. Ramsay. “Who do you think is going to win?” he asked.

“I’m picking the mystery horse.”

“Say, don’t you know that’s a publicity stunt,” the man answered. “I’ll bet you there won’t even be a third horse out there today!”

“We’ll see,” Alec’s father said. “We’ll see.”

Alec stroked the Black. “It’s almost time, fella,” he said. The stallion pawed at the straw. Outside a line of policemen kept the eager spectators away. In the distance Alec could see the stands jammed with people. Band music drifted toward them. Henry came back from looking over the track.

“Fast as the devil,” he said. “Better go over and check it out for yourself,” he said. He stopped and his eyes blinked a little as he put a hand on the green shirt Alec wore. “Fits pretty good, doesn’t it?” He smiled.