CHAPTER I

WHICH INTRODUCES JOHNNY GAMBLE AND HIS LAST HUNDRED DOLLARS




About the time the winner of the Baltimore Handicap flashed under
the wire, Johnny Gamble started to tear up a bundle of nice pink
tickets on Lady S. Just then Ashley Loring came by swiftly in the
direction of the betting shed. Loring stopped and wheeled when he
caught sight of him as did most men who knew him.

"Hello, Johnny! I didn't know you had run over. How are you picking
them to-day?" he asked.

"With a dream book," answered Gamble, smiling; "but I ate lobster
last night."

"I didn't know that you cared for the ponies."

"I don't; and it's mutual. Thought I'd take one more whirl, though,
before the Maryland governor also closes the tracks for ever. How
are you doing?"

"I'm working on a new system," stated the tall young man with
elation. "With this scheme, all you have to do is to bet on the
right horse. What did you have in the handicap?"