Meanwhile，youcanwrite’the’greatAmericannovelwithouthavingtoworryaboutmoney，ortolookforasteadyjob。Andthenyourbookwillcomeout，andyouwillbefamous，andrich，and————"
　　"Passingonfromthat，"interruptedCarter，"thethingoffirstimportanceistogetyououtofthathot，beastlyflat。Iproposewestartto—morrowforCapeCod。Iknowalotoffishingvillagestherewherewecouldboardandlodgefortwelvedollarsaweek，androwandplaytennisandliveinourbathingsuits。"
　　Dollyassentedwithenthusiasm，andduringthecoursesofthedinnertheyhappilydiscussedCapeCodfromPocassettoYarmouth，andfromSandwichtoProvincetown。Soeagerweretheytoescape，thatCartertelephonedthehallmanathisclubtosecureacabinforthenextafternoonontheFallRiverboat。Astheysatovertheircoffeeinthecoolbreeze，with，intheair，thescentofflowersandtheswingofmusic，andwith，attheirfeet，thelightsofthegreatcity，theworldseemedverybright。
　　"Ithasbeenagreatday，"sighedCarter。"AndifIhadn’thadnervousprostrationIwouldhaveenjoyedit。Thatrace—courseisalwayscool，andthereweresomefinefinishes。Inoticedtwohorsesthatwouldbearwatching，HerHighnessandGlowworm。Ifweweren’tleavingto—morrow，I’dbeinclined————"Dollyregardedhimwitheyesofhorror。
　　"ChampneysCarter！"sheexclaimed。Asshesaidit，itsoundedlike"GreatJehoshaphat！"
　　Carterprotestedindignantly。"Ionlysaid，"heexplained，"ifI
　　werefollowingtheraces，I’dwatchthosehorses。Don’tworry！"heexclaimed。"Iknowwhentostop。"
　　ThenextmorningtheytookbreakfastonthetinyterraceofarestaurantoverlookingBryantPark，where，duringthefirstdaysoftheirhoneymoon，theyhadalwaysbreakfasted。Forsentimentalreasonstheynowrevisitedit。ButDollywaseagertoreturnatoncetotheflatandpack，andCarterseemeddistraught。Heexplainedthathehadhadabadnight。
　　"I’msosorry，"sympathizedDolly，"butto—nightyouwillhaveafinesleepgoinguptheSound。Anymorenightmares？"sheasked。
　　"Nightmares！"explodedCarterfiercely。"Nightmarestheycertainlywere！Idreamttwoofthenightmareswon！Isawthem，allnight，justasIsawDromedary，HerHighnessandGlowworm，winning，winning，winning！"
　　"Thosewerethehorsesyouspokeaboutlastnight，"saidDollyseverely。"Aftersowonderfuladay，ofcourseyoudreamtofracing，andthosetwohorseswereinyourmind。That’stheexplanation。"
　　Theyreturnedtotheflatandbegan，industriously，topack。Abouttwelveo’clockCarter，comingsuddenlyintothebedroomwhereDollywasalone，foundherreadingtheMORNINGTELEGRAPH。Itwasopenattheracingpageof"pastperformances。"
　　Shedroppedthepaperguiltily。Carterkickedahat—boxoutofhiswayandsatdownonatrunk。
　　"Idon’tsee，"hebegan，"whywecan’twaitonemoreday。We’dbejustasneartheoceanatSheepsheadBayrace—trackasonaFallRiverboat，and————"Hehaltedandfrownedunhappily。"Weneedn’tbetmorethantendollars，"hebegged。
　　"Ofcourse，"declaredDolly，"iftheySHOULDwin，you’llalwaysblameME！"Carter’seyesshonehopefully。
　　"And，"continuedDolly，Ican’tbeartohaveyoublameme。So————"
　　"Getyourhat！"shoutedCarter，"orwe’llmissthefirstrace。"
　　Cartertelephonedforacab，andastheywereenteringitsaidguiltily:"I’vegottostopatthebank。"
　　"YouhaveNOT！"announcedDolly。"ThatmoneyistokeepusalivewhileyouwritethegreatAmericannovel。I’mgladtospendanotherdayattheraces，andI’mwillingtobackyourdreamsasfarastendollars，butfornomore。"
　　"Ifmydreamscometrue，"warnedCarter，you’llbeawfullysorry。"
　　"NotI，"saidDolly。"I’llmerelysendyoutobed，andyoucangoondreaming。"
　　WhenHerHighnessrompedhome，aneasywinner，thelookDollyturneduponherhusbandwasonebothoffearanddismay。
　　"Idon’tlikeit！"shegasped。"It’s——it’suncanny。Itgivesmeacreepyfeeling。Itmakesyouseemsortofsupernatural。Andoh，"
　　shecried，"ifonlyIhadletyoubetallyouhadwithyou！"
　　"Idid，"stammeredCarter，inextremeagitation。"Ibetfourhundred。Igotfivetoone，Dolly，"hegasped，inawe；"we’vewontwothousanddollars。"
　　Dollyexclaimedrapturously:"We’llputitallinbank，"shecried。
　　"We’llputitallonGlowworm！"saidherhusband。
　　"Champ！"beggedDolly。"Don’tpushyourluck。Stopwhile————"
　　Cartershookhishead。
　　"It’sNOTluck！"hegrowled。"It’sagift，it’ssecondsight，it’sprophecy。I’vebeenafull—fledgedclairvoyantallmylife，anddidn’tknowit。Anyway，I’masport，andaftertwoofmydreamsbreakingright，I’vegottobackthethirdone！"
　　Glowwormwasattentoone，andatthoseoddsthebook—makerstowhomhefirstapplieddidnotcaretotakesolargeasumasheoffered。Carterfoundabook—makernamed"Sol"Burbankwho，atthoseodds，acceptedhistwothousand。
　　WhenCarterreturnedtocollecthistwenty—twothousand，therewassomelittledelaywhileBurbankborrowedaportionofit。HelookedatCartercuriouslyandnonetoogenially。
　　"Wasn’tityou，"heasked，"thathadthatthirty—to—oneshotyesterdayonDromedary？"Carternoddedsomewhatguiltily。Amaninthecrowdvolunteered:"AndhehadHerHighnessinthesecond，too，forfourhundred。"
　　"You’vemadeagoodday，"saidBurbank。"Givemeachancetogetmymoneybackto—morrow。
　　"I’msorry，"saidCarter。"I’mleavingNewYorkto—morrow。"
　　Thesamescarletcarborethembacktriumphanttothebank。
　　"Twenty—twothousanddollars？"gaspedCarter，"inCASH！Howinthenameofallthat’shonestcanwecelebratewinningtwenty—twothousanddollars？Wecan’teatmorethanonedinner；wecan’tdrinkmorethantwoquartsofchampagne——notwithoutseriousresults。"
　　"I’lltellyouwhatwecando！"criedDollyexcitedly。"Wecansailto—morrowontheCAMPANIA！"
　　"Hurrah！"shoutedCarter。"We’llhaveasecondhoney—moon。We’llshootupLondonandParis。We’lltearslicesoutofthemapofEurope。You’llrideinonemotor—car，I’llrideinanother，we’llhaveamaidandavaletinathird，andwe’llraceeachotherallthewaytoMonteCarlo。And，there，I’lldreamofthewinningnumbers，andwe’llbreakthebank。WhendoestheCAMPANIAsail？"
　　"Atnoon，"saidDolly。
　　"Ateightwewillbeonboard，"saidCarter。
　　ButthatnightinhisdreamshesawKingPepper，Confederate，andRedWingeachwinarace。AndinthemorningneithertheenginesoftheCAMPANIAnortheentreatiesofDollycouldkeephimfromtherace—track。
　　"Iwantonlysixthousand，"heprotested。"Youcandowhatyoulikewiththerest，butIamgoingtobetsixthousandonthefirstoneofthosethreetostart。Ifheloses，IgiveyoumywordI’llnotbetanothercent，andwe’llsailonSaturday。IfhewinsOut，I’llputallImakeonthetwoothers。"
　　"Can’tyousee，"beggedDolly，"thatyourdreamsarejustarehashofwhatyouthinkduringtheday？Youhavebeenplayinginwonderfulluck，that’sall。Eachofthosehorsesislikelytowinhisrace。Whenhedoesyouwillhavemorefaiththaneverinyoursillydreams————"
　　"Mysillydreams，"saidCartergrinning，"arecarryingyoutoEurope，firstclass，bythenextsteamer。"
　　Theyhadbeentalkingwhileontheirwaytothebank。WhenDollysawshecouldnotalterhispurpose，shemadehimplacethenineteenthousandthatremained，afterhehadtakenoutthesixthousand，inhername。Shethendrewouttheentireamount。
　　"Youtoldme，"saidDolly，smilinganxiously，IcoulddowhatI
　　likedwithit。MaybeIhavedreamsalso。MaybeImeantobackthem。"
　　Shedroveaway，mysteriouslyrefusingtotellhimwhatsheintendedtodo。Whentheymetatluncheon，shewasstillmuchexcited，stillbristlingwithaconcealedsecret。
　　"Didyoubackyourdream？"askedCarter。
　　Dollynoddedhappily。
　　"AndwhenamItoknow？"
　　"Youwillreadofit，"saidDolly，"to—morrow，inthemorningpapers。It’sallquitecorrect。Mylawyersarrangedit。"
　　"Lawyers！"gaspedherhusband。"You’renotarrangingtolockmeinaprivatemadhouse，areyou？"
　　"No，"laughedDolly；"butwhenItoldthemhowIintendedtoinvestthemoneytheycamenearputtingmethere。"
　　"Didn’ttheywanttoknowhowyousuddenlygotsorich？"askedCarter。
　　"Theydid。Itoldthemitcamefrommyhusband’s’books’！Itwasavery’near’false—hood。"
　　"Itwasworse，"saidCarter。"Itwasaverypoorpun。"
　　Asintheirhoney—moondaystheydroveproudlytothetrack，andwhenCarterhadplacedDollyinaboxlargeenoughfortwenty，hepushedhiswayintothecrowdaroundthestandof"Sol"Burbank。
　　Thatveteranoftheturfwelcomedhimgladly。
　　"Comingtogivememymoneyback？"hecalled。
　　"No，totakesomeaway，"saidCarter，handinghimhissixthousand。
　　Withoutapparentlylookingatit，Burbankpassedittohiscashier。
　　"KingPepper，twelvetosixthousand，"hecalled。
　　WhenKingPepperwon，andCartermovedaroundtheringwitheighteenthousanddollarsinthousandandfivehundreddollarbillsinhisfist，hefoundhimselfbesetbyacrowdofcurious，eager"pikers。"Theybothimpededhisoperationsandactedasabody—guard。Confederatewasanalmostprohibitivefavoriteatonetothree，andinplacingeighteenthousandthathemightwinsix，Carterfoundlittledifficulty。WhenConfederatewon，andhestartedwithhistwenty—fourthousandtobackRedWing，thecrowdnowengulfedhim。Menandboyswhowhentheywageredfiveandtendollarswereriskingtheirall，foundinthesightofayoungmanofferingbetsinhundredsandthousandsathrillingandfascinatingspectacle。
　　Tolearnwhathorsehewasplayingandatwhatodds，racingtoutsandrunnersforotherbook—makersandindividualspeculatorsleapedintothemobthatsurroundedhim，andthen，squirmingtheirwayout，ranshriekingdowntheline。Intenminutes，throughthebetsofCarterandthosethatbackedhisluck，theoddsagainstRedWingwereforceddownfromfifteentoonetoevenmoney。Hisapproachwashailedbythebook—makerseitherwithjeersorwithshoutsofwelcome。Thosewhohadlostdemandedachancetoregaintheirmoney。Thosewithwhomhehadnotbet，foundinthatfactconsolation，andchaffedthelosers。Somecurtlyrefusedeventhesmallestpartofhismoney。
　　"Notwithme！"theylaughed。Fromstandtostandthelayersofoddstauntedhim，oreachother。"Don’ttouchit，it’stainted！"theyshouted。"Lookout，Joe，he’stheJonahman？"Or，"Comeatmeagain！"theycalled。"And，oncemore！"theychallengedastheyreachedforathousand—dollarbill。
　　And，whenintime，eachshookhisheadandgrumbled:"That’sallI
　　want，"orlookedtheotherway，themobaroundCarterjeered。
　　"He’sfought’emtoastand—still！"theyshoutedjubilantly。Intheireyesamanwhoalonewasableandwillingtowipethenameofahorseofftheblackboardswasahero。
　　TothehorrorofDolly，insteadofwatchingthehorsesparadepast，thecrowdgatheredinfrontofherboxandpointedandstaredather。Fromtheclub—househermenfriendsandacquaintancesinvadedit。
　　"HasCartergonemad？"theydemanded。"He’sdealingoutthousand—dollarbillslikecigarettes。He’sturnedtheringintoawheatPit！"
　　Whenhereachedtheboxasun—burnedmaninasombreroblockedhisway。
　　"I’mtheownerofRedWing，"heexplained，"bredhimandtrainedhimmyself。Iknowhe’llbeluckyifhegetstheplace。You’rebackinghiminthousandstoWIN。Whatdoyouknowabouthim？"
　　"Knowhewillwin，"saidCarter。
　　Theveterancommissioneroftheclubstandbuttonholedhim。"Mr。
　　Carter，"hebegged，"whydon’tyoubetthroughme？I’llgiveyouasgoododdsastheywillinthatring。Youdon’twantyourclothestornoffyouandyourmoneytakenfromyou。"
　　"Theyhaven’ttakensuchalotofityet，"saidCarter。
　　WhenRedWingwon，thecrowdbeneaththebox，themeninthebox，andthepeoplestandingaroundit，mostofwhomhadfollowedCarter’splunge，cheeredandfelloverhim，toshakehandsandpoundhimontheback。Fromeverysideexcitedphotographerspointedcameras，andLander’sbandplayed:"EveryLittleBitAddedtoWhatYou’veGotMakesJustaLittleBitMore。"Ashelefttheboxtocollecthismoney，abigmanwithabrownmustacheandtwosmooth—shavengiantsclosedinaroundhim，astacklesinterfereforthemanwhohastheball。Thebigmantookhimbythearm。Cartershookhimselffree。
　　"What’stheidea？"hedemanded。
　　"I’mPinkerton，"saidthebigmangenially。"Youneedabody—
　　guard。Ifyou’vegotanemptyseatinyourcar，I’lldrivehomewithyou。FromCavanaughtheyborrowedabook—maker’shand—bagandstuffeditwiththousand—dollarbills。Whentheysteppedintothecarthecrowdstillsurroundedthem。
　　"He’stakingithomeinatrunk！"theyyelled。
　　Thatnightthe"sportingextras"oftheafternoonpapersgaveprominencetotheluckattheracesofChampneysCarter。FromCavanaughandthebook—makers，theracingreportershadgatheredaccountsofhiswinnings。Theystatedthatinthreesuccessivedays，startingwithonehundreddollars，hehadattheendofthethirddaynotlostasinglebet，andthatafternoon，onthelastracealone，hehadwonsixtytoseventythousanddollars。Withthetext，they"ran"picturesofCarteratthetrack，ofDollyinherbox，andofMrs。Ingraminatiaraandball—dress。
　　Mother—in—lawWILLbepleasedcriedCarter。Insomealarmastowhatthenewspapersmightsayonthemorrow，heorderedthatinthemorningacopyofeachbesenttohisroom。Thatnightinhisdreamshesawcloudsofdust—coveredjacketsandhorseswithsweatingflanks，andoneofthemnamedAmbitiousledalltherest。
　　Whenhewoke，hesaidtoDolly:"ThathorseAmbitiouswillwinto—day。"
　　"HecandojustashelikesaboutTHAT！"repliedDolly。"Ihavesomethingonmymindmuchmoreimportantthanhorse—racing。To—dayyouaretolearnhowIspentyourmoney。It’stobeinthemorningpapers。"
　　Whenhecametobreakfast，Dollywasonherknees。Forhisinspectionshehadspreadthenewspapersonthefloor，openedatanadvertisementthatappearedineach。IntheCentreofahalf—pageofwhitepaperwerethelines:
　　SOLDOUTINONEDAY！
　　ENTIREFIRSTEDITION
　　THEDEADHEAT
　　BY
　　CHAMPNEYSCARTER
　　SECONDEDITIONONEHUNDREDTHOUSAND
　　InHeaven’sname！"roaredCarter。"Whatdoesthismean？"
　　"Itmeans，"criedDollytremulously，"I’mbackingmydream。I’vealwaysbelievedinyourbook。Now，I’mbackingit。Ourlawyerssentmetoanadvertisingagent。HisnameisSpink，andheisawfullyclever。Iaskedhimifhecouldadvertiseabooksoastomakeitsell。Hesaidwithmymoneyandhisideashecouldselllastyear’stelephonebooktopeoplewhodidnotownatelephone，andwhohadneverlearnedtoread。Heisproudofhisideas。Oneofthemwasbuyingoutthefirstedition。Yourpublisherstoldhimyourbookwas’wastepaper，’andthathecouldhaveeverycopyinstockforthecostoftheplates。Soheboughtthewholeedition。That’showitwassoldoutinoneday。Thenweorderedasecondeditionofonehundredthousand，andthey’reprintingitnow。
　　"Thepresseshavebeenworkingallnighttomeetthedemand！"
　　"But，"criedCarter，"thereisn’tanydemand！"
　　"Therewillbe，"saidDolly，"whenfivemillionpeoplereadouradvertisements。"
　　Shedraggedhimtothewindowandpointedtriumphantlyintothestreet。
　　"Seethat！"shesaid。"Mr。Spinksentthemhereformetoinspect。"
　　DrawnupinalinethatstretchedfromFifthAvenuetoBroadwaywereanarmyofsandwichmen。Ontheboardstheycarriedwerethewords:"Read’TheDeadHeat。’SecondEdition。OneHundredThousand！"Onthefenceinfrontofthebuildinggoingupacrossthestreet，inlettersafoothigh，Carteragainreadthenameofhisnovel。Inlettersinsizemoremodest，butincolorsmoredefiant，itglaredathimfromash—cansandbarrels。
　　"Howmuchdoesthiscost？"hegasped。
　　"Itcosteverydollaryouhadinbank，"saidDolly，"andbeforewearethroughitwillcostyoutwiceasmuchmore。Mr。Spinkisonlywaitingtohearfrommebeforehestartsspendingfiftythousanddollars；that’sonlyhalfofwhatyouwononRedWing。I’monlywaitingforyoutomakemeoutacheckbeforeItellSpinktostartspendingit。"
　　InadazedstateCarterdrewacheckforfiftythousanddollarsandmeeklyhandedittohiswife。TheycarrieditthemselvestotheofficeofMr。Spink。Ontheirway，oneverysidetheysawevidencesofhishandiwork。Onwalls，onscaffolding，onbill—boardswereadvertisementsof"TheDeadHeat。"OverMadisonSquareahugekiteaslargeasaZeppelinair—shippaintedthenameofthebookagainstthesky，on"dodgers"itfloatedintheair，onhandbillsitstaredupfromthegutters。
　　Mr。Spinkwasanervousyoungmanwithabaldheadandeye—
　　glasses。Hegraspedthecheckasageneralmightwelcomefiftythousandfreshtroops。
　　"Reinforcements！"hecried。"Now，watchme。NowIcandothingsthatarebig，national，Napoleonic。Wecan’tgetthosebooksboundinsideofaweek，butmeanwhileorderswillbepouringin，peoplewillbegrowingcrazyforit。Everyman，woman，andchildinGreaterNewYorkwillwantacopy。I’vesentoutfiftyboysdressedasjockeysonhorsebacktorideneckandneckupanddowneveryavenue。’TheDeadHeat’isprintedonthesaddle—cloth。Halfofthemhavebeenarrestedalready。It’salittleideaofmyown。"
　　"But，"protestedCarter，"it’snotaracingstory，it’sadetectivestory！"
　　"Thedevilitis！"gaspedSpink。"Butwhat’sthedifference！"heexclaimed。"They’vegottobuyitanyway。They’dbuyitifitwasacook—book。And，Isay，"hecrieddelightedly，"that’sgreatpressworkyou’redoingforthebookattheraces！Thepapersarefullofyouthismorning，andeverymanwhoreadsaboutyourluckatthetrackwillseeyournameastheauthorof’TheDeadHeat，’andwillrushtobuythebook。He’llthink’TheDeadHeat’isaguidetotheturf！"
　　WhenCarterreachedthetrackhefoundhisnotorietyhadprecededhim。Ambitiousdidnorununtilthefourthrace，anduntilthen，ashesatinhisbox，aneagercrowdsurgedbelow。Hehadneverknownsuchpopularity。Thecrowdhadreadthenewspapers，andsuchhead—linesas"HeCannotLose！""YoungCarterWins$70，000！""BoyPlungerWinsAgain！""CarterMakesBigKilling！""TheRingHitHard！""TheManWhoCannotLose！""CarterBeatsBook—makers！"hadwhettedtheircuriosityandfilledmanywithabsolutefaithinhisluck。Menhehadnotseeninyearsgraspedhimbythehandandcarelesslyaskedifhecouldtellofsomethinggood。Friendsoldandnewbeggedhimtodinewiththem，toimmediatelyhaveadrinkWiththem，atleastto"try"acigar。Menwhoprotestedtheyhadlosttheirallbeggedforjustahintwhichwouldhelpthemtocomeouteven，andeveryone，withoutexception，assuredhimhewasgoingtobuyhislatestbook。
　　"Itriedtogetitlastnightatadozennews—stands，"manyofthemsaid，"buttheytoldmetheentireeditionwasexhausted。"
　　Thecrowdofhungry—eyedrace—goerswaitingbelowthebox，andwatchingCarter’severymovement，distressedDolly。
　　"Ihateit！"shecried。"Theylookatyoulikealotofstarveddogsbeggingforabone。Let’sgohome；wedon’twanttomakeanymoremoney，andwemaylosewhatwehave。AndIwantitalltoadvertisethebook。"
　　"Ifyou’renotcareful，"saidCarter，"someonewillbuythatbookandreadit，andthenyouandSpinkwillhavetotakeshelterinacyclonecellar。"
　　WhenhearosetomakehisbetonAmbitious，hisfriendsfromtheclubstandandahalf—dozenofPinkerton’smenclosedinaroundhimandinaflyingwedgepushedintothering。Thenews—papershaddonetheirwork，andhewasinstantlysurroundedbyahungry，howlingmob。Incomparisonwiththeoneofthepreviousday，itwasasafoot—ballscrimmagetoarunonabank。Whenhemadehisfirstwagerandthecrowdlearnedthenameofthehorse，itbrokewitha。
　　yellintohundredsofflyingmissileswhichhurledthemselvesatthebook—makers。Undertheirattack，asonthedaybefore，Ambitiousrecededtoevenmoney。Therewashardlyapersonatthetrackwhodidnotbacktheluckofthemanwho"couldnotlose。"
　　AndwhenAmbitiouswoneasily，itwasnotthehorseorthejockeythatwascheered，buttheyoungmaninthebox。
　　InNewYorktheextrashadalreadyannouncedthathewasagainlucky，andwhenDollyandCarterreachedthebanktheyfoundtheentirestaffonhandtoreceivehimandhiswinnings。TheyamountedtoasumsomagnificentthatCarterfoundfortherestoftheirlivestheinterestwouldfurnishDollyandhimselfanincomeuponwhichtheycouldlivemodestlyandwell。
　　Adistinguished—looking，white—hairedofficialofthebankcongratulatedCarterwarmly。"Shouldyouwishtoinvestsomeofthis，"hesaid，"Ishouldbegladtoadviseyou。Myknowledgeinthatdirectionmaybewiderthanyourown。"
　　Cartermurmuredhisthanks。Thewhite—hairedgentlemanloweredhisvoice。"Oncertainothersubjects，"hecontinued，"youknowmanythingsofwhichIamtotallyignorant。Couldyoutellme，"heaskedcarelessly，"whowillwintheSuburbanto—morrow？"
　　Carterfrownedmysteriously。"Icantellyoubetterinthemorning，"hesaid。"ItlookslikeBeldame，withProperandFirstMasonwithincall。"
　　Thewhite—hairedmanshowedhissurpriseandalsothathisignorancewasnotasprofoundashesuggested。
　　"IthoughttheKeeneentry————"heventured。
　　"Iknow，"saidCarterdoubtfully。"Ifitwereforamile，IwouldsayDelhi，butIdon’tthinkhecanlastthedistance。InthemorningI’llwireyou。"
　　Astheysettledbackintheircar，CartertookbothofDolly’shandsinhis。"Sofarasmoneygoes，"hesaid，"weareindependentofyourmother——independentofmybooks；andIwanttomakeyouapromise。Iwanttopromiseyouthat，nomatterwhatIdreaminthefuture，I’llneverbackanotherhorse。"Dollygaveagaspofsatisfaction。
　　"Andwhat’smore，"addedCarterhastily，"notanotherdollarcanyouriskinbackingmybooks。Afterthis，they’vegottostandorfallontheirlegs！"
　　"Agreed！"criedDolly。"Ourplungingdaysareover。"
　　WhentheyreachedtheflattheyfoundwaitingforCarterthejuniorpartnerofarealpublishinghouse。Hehadablankcontract，andhewantedtosecuretherighttopublishCarter’snextbook。
　　"Ihaveafewshortstories————"suggestedCarter。
　　Collectionsofshortstories，protestedthevisitortruthfully，"donotsell。Wewouldpreferanothernovelonthesamelinesas’TheDeadHeat。’"
　　"Haveyouread’TheDeadHeat’？"askedCarter。
　　"Ihavenot，"admittedthepublisher，butthenextbookbythesameauthorissureto————。Wewillpayinadvanceofroyaltiesfifteenthousanddollars。"
　　"Couldyouputthatinwriting？"askedCarter。Whenthepublisherwasleavinghesaid:
　　"Iseeyoursuccessinliteratureisequaledbyyoursuccessattheraces。CouldyoutellmewhatwillwintheSuburban？"
　　"IwillsendyouawireintheMORNING，"saidCarter。
　　Theyhadarrangedtodinewithsomefriendsandlatertovisitamusicalcomedy。Carterhadchangedhisclothes，and，whilehewaswaitingforDollytodress，wasreclininginahugearm—chair。Theheatoftheday，theexcitement，andthewearonhisnervescausedhisheadtosinkback，hiseyestoclose，andhislimbstorelax。
　　When，byherentrance，Dollywokehim，hejumpedupinsomeconfusion。
　　"You’vebeenasleep，"shemocked。
　　"Worse！"saidCarter。"I’vebeendreaming！ShallItellyouwhoisgoingtowintheSuburban？"
　　"Champneys！"criedDollyinalarm。
　　"MydearDolly，"protestedherhusband，"Ipromisedtostopbetting。Ididnotpromisetostopsleeping。"
　　"Well，"sighedDolly，withrelief，"aslongasitstopsatthat。
　　Delhiwillwin，"sheadded。"Delhiwillnot，"saidCarter。"Thisishowtheywillfinish————"HescribbledthreenamesonapieceofpaperwhichDollyread。
　　"Butthat，"shesaid，"iswhatyoutoldthegentlemanatthebank。"
　　Carterstaredatherblanklyandinsomeembarrassment。
　　"Yousee！"criedDolly，"whatyouthinkwhenyou’reawake，youdreamwhenyou’reasleep。Andyouhadarunofluckthatneverhappenedbeforeandcouldneverhappenagain。"
　　Carterreceivedherexplanationwithreluctance。"Iwonder，"hesaid。
　　Onarrivingatthetheatretheyfoundtheirhosthadreservedastage—box，andastherewerebutfourintheirparty，andas，whentheyentered，thehouselightswereup，theirarrivaldrewuponthemtheattentionbothofthoseintheaudienceandofthoseonthestage。Thetheatrewascrowdedtoitscapacity，andineverypartwerepeoplewhowerehabitualrace—goers，aswellasmanyracingmenwhohadcometotownfortheSuburban。Bythese，aswellasbymanyotherswhoforthreedayshadseeninnumerablepicturesofhim，Carterwasinstantlyrecognized。Totheaudienceandtotheperformersthemanwhoalwayswonwasoffargreaterinterestthanwhatforthethree—hundredthnightwasgoingforwardonthestage。
　　Andwhentheleadingwoman，BlancheWinter，askedthecomedianwhichhewouldratherbe，"TheManWhoBroketheBankatMonteCarloortheManWhoCanNotLose？"shegainedfromtheaudienceaneasylaughandfromthechorusanexcitedgiggle。
　　When，attheendoftheact，Carterwentintothelobbytosmoke，hewassoquicklysurroundedthathesoughtrefugeonBroadway。
　　Fromthere，thecrowdstillfollowinghim，hewasdrivenbackintohisbox。Meanwhile，theinterestshowninhimhadnotbeenlostuponthepressagentofthetheatre，andheatoncetelephonedtothenewspaperofficesthatPlungerCarter，thebook—makerbreaker，wasatthattheatre，andifthatthenewspaperswantedachancetointerviewhimontheprobableout—comeoftheclassichandicaptoberunonthemorrow，he，thepressagent，wouldunselfishlyassistthem。Inanswertothesehurrycalls，reportersoftheTeno’ClockClubassembledinthefoyer。Howfarwhatlaterfollowedwasduetotheirpresenceandtotheeffortsofthepressagentonlythatgentlemancantell。ItwasinthesecondactthatMissBlancheWintersanghertopicalsong。Initsheadvisedtheaudiencewhenanxioustosettleanyquestionofpersonalornationalinterestto"PutituptotheManintheMoon。’"ThisnightsheintroducedaverseinwhichshetoldofherdesiretoknowwhichhorseonthemorrowwouldwintheSuburban，and，inthechorus，expressedherdeterminationto"PutituptotheManintheMoon。"
　　Instantlyfromthebackofthehouseavoicecalled:"Whydon’tyouputituptotheManintheBox？"MissWinterlaughed—theaudiencelaughed；alleyeswereturnedtowardCarter。Asthoughtheideapleasedthem，fromdifferentpartsofthehousepeopleapplaudedheartily。Inembarrassment，Cartershovedbackhischairandpulledthecurtainoftheboxbetweenhimandtheaudience。Buthewasnotsoeasilytoescape。Leavingtheorchestratocontinueunheededwiththepreludetothenextverse，MissWinterwalkedslowlyanddeliberatelytowardhim，smilingmischievously。Inburlesqueentreaty，sheheldoutherarms。Shemadeamostappealingandcharmingpicture，andofthatfactshewaswellaware。Inavoiceloudenoughtoreacheverypartofthehouse，sheaddressedherselftoCarter:
　　"Won’tyoutellME？"shebegged。
　　Carter，blushingunhappily，shruggedhisshouldersinapology。
　　WithawaveofherhandMissWinterdesignatedtheaudience。
　　"Then，"shecoaxed，reproachfully，"won’tyoutellTHEM？"
　　Again，instantly，withapromptnessandunanimitythatsoundedsuspiciouslyasthoughitcamefromusherswellrehearsed，severalvoiceechoedherpetition:"Giveusallachance！’’shoutedone。
　　"Don’tkeepthegoodthingstoyourself！"reproachedanother。"I
　　wanttogetrich，TOO！"wailedathird。Inhisheart，Carterprayedtheywouldchoke。Buttheaudience，sofarfromresentingtheinterruptions，encouragedthem，andCarter’sobviousdiscomfortaddedtoitsamusement。Itproceededtoassailhimwithapplause，withappeals，withcommandsto"speakup。"
　　Thehand—clappingbecamegeneral—insistent。Theaudiencewouldnotbedenied。CarterturnedtoDolly。Intherecessesoftheboxshewasenjoyinghispredicament。Hisfriendsalsowerelaughingathim。Indignantattheirdesertion，Cartergrinnedvindictively。
　　"Allright，"hemutteredoverhisshoulder。"Sinceyouthinkit’sfunny，I’llshowyou！"Hepulledhispencilfromhiswatch—chainand，spreadinghisprogrammeontheledgeofthebox，begantowrite。
　　Fromtheaudiencethereroseamurmurofincredulity，ofsurprise，ofexcitedinterest。Intherearofthehousethepressagent，afteronestartledlook，doubledupinanecstasyofjoy。"We’velandedhim！"hegasped。"We’velandedhimHe’sgoingtofallforit！"
　　Dollyfranticallyclaspedherhusbandbythecoat—tail。
　　"Champ！"sheimplored，"whatareyoudoing？"
　　Quitecalmly，quiteconfidently，Carterrose。Leaningforwardwithanodandasmile，hepresentedtheprogrammetothebeautifulMissWinter。Thatladyallbutsnatchedatit。Thespot—lightwasfullinhereyes。Turningherbackthatshemightthemoreeasilyread，shestoodforamoment，herprettyfiguretremblingwitheagerness，herprettyeyesbentupontheprogramme。Thehousehadgrownsuddenlystill，andwithanexcitedgesture，theleaderoftheorchestracommandedthemusictosilenceAman，burstingwithimpatience，brokethetensequiet。"Readit！"heshouted。
　　Inafrightenedvoicethatinthesuddenhushheldnoneofitsusualconfidence，MissWinterreadslowly:"Thefavoritecannotlastthedistance。WillleadforthemileandgivewaytoBeldame。
　　Propertakestheplace。FirstMasonwillshow。Beldamewillwinbyalength。"
　　Beforeshehadceasedreading，adozenmenhadstruggledtotheirfeetandahundredvoicewereroaringather。"Readthatagain！"
　　thechorused。OncemoreMissWinterreadthemessage，butbeforeshehadfinishedhalfofthoseinthefrontrowswerescramblingfromtheirseatsandracinguptheaisles。Alreadythereporterswereaheadofthem，andintheneighborhoodnotonetelephoneboothwasempty。Withinfiveminutes，inthosehotelsalongtheWhiteWaywheresportingmenarewonttomeet，bettingcommissionersandhand—bookmenweresuddenlyassaultedbybreathlessgentlemen，someineveningdress，somewithoutcollars，andsomewithouthats，butallwithmoneytobetagainstthefavorite。And，anhourlater，men，bentunderstacksofnewspaper"extras，"werevomitedfromthesubwaystationsintotheheartofBroadway，andinraucoustoneswereshrieking，"WinneroftheSuburban，"sixteenhoursbeforethatracewasrun。ThatnighttoeverybignewspaperofficefromMainetoCalifornia，wasflashedthenewsthatPlungerCarter，inaBroadwaytheatre，hadannouncedthatthefavoritefortheSuburbanwouldbebeaten，and，inorder，hadnamedthethreehorsesthatwouldfirstfinish。
　　UpanddownBroadway，fromrathskellerstoroof—gardens，incafesandlobsterpalaces，onthecornersofthecross—roads，inclubsandall—nightrestaurants，Carter’stipwasasaredragtoabull。
　　Wastheboydrunk，theydemanded，orhadhismiraculousluckturnedhishead？Otherwise，whywouldhesopubliclyutteraprophecythatonthemorrowmustcertainlysmotherhimwithridicule。Theexplanationswerevaried。Themenintheclubsheldhewasdrivenbyadesirefornotoriety，themeninthestreetthathewasmorecleverthantheyguessed，andhadmadethemovetosuithisownbook，toaltertheoddstohisownadvantage。Othersfrownedmysteriously。Withsuperstitiousfaithinhisluck，theypointedtohisrecord。"Hasheeverlostabet？HowdoWEknowwhatHEknows？"
　　theydemanded。"Perhapsit’sfixedandheknowsit！"
　　The"wise"oneshowledinderision。"ASuburbanFIXED！"theyretorted。"YoucanfixONEjockey，youcanfixTWO；butyoucan’tfixsixteenjockeys！Youcan’tfixBelmont，youcan’tfixKeene。
　　There’snothinginhispickingBeldame，butonlyacrazymanwouldpickthehorsefortheplaceandtoshow，andshutoutthefavorite！TheboyoughttobeinMatteawan。
　　Stillundisturbed，stillconfidenttothosetowhomhehadpromisedthem，Cartersentawire。Nordidheforgethisoldenemy，"Sol"
　　Burbank。"IfyouwanttogetsomeofthemoneyItook，"hetelegraphed，"wipeouttheBelmontentryandtakealltheyofferonDelhi。Hecannotwin。"
　　Andthatnight，wheneachnewspapercalledhimupathisflat，hemadethesameanswer。"ThethreehorsesWillfinishasIsaid。YoucanstatethatIgavetheinformationasIdidasasortofpresenttothepeopleofNewYorkCity。"
　　Inthepapersthenextmorning"Carter’sTip"wasthefront—pagefeature。Eventhosewhoneverintheracingofhorsesfeltanyconcerncouldnothelpbuttakeintheoutcomeofthisoneacuriousinterest。Theaudacityoftheprophecy，theveryabsurdityofit，presupposing，asitdid，occultpower，wasinitselfamusing。AndwhenthecurtainroseontheSuburbanitwasevidentthattothousandswhattheManWhoCouldNotLosehadforetoldwasaseriousandinspiredutterance。
　　Thistimehisfriendsgatheredaroundhim，nottobenefitbyhisadvice，buttoprotecthim。"They’llmobyou！"theywarned。
　　"They’llteartheclothesoffyourback。Bettermakeyourgetawaynow。"
　　Dolly，withtearsinhereyes，satbesidehim。Everynowandagainshetouchedhishand。Belowhisbox，asaroundanewspaperofficeonthenightwhenapresidentiselected，thepeoplecrushedinaturbulentmob。Somemockedandjeered，somewhoonhistiphadriskedtheireverydollar，hailedhimhopefully。Oneverysidepolicemen，fearfulofcomingtrouble，hemmedhimin。Carterwasboredextremely，heartilysorryhehadonthenightbeforegivenwaytowhathenowsawasaperverseimpulse。Buthestillwasconfident，stillundismayed。
　　Toalleyes，exceptthoseofDolly，hewasofallthoseatthetracktheleastconcerned。Toherheturnedand，inalowtone，spokeswiftly。"Iamsosorry，"hebegged。"But，indeed，indeed，I
　　can’tlose。Youmusthavefaithinme。"
　　"Inyou，yes，"returnedDollyinawhisper，"butinyourdreams，no！"
　　Thehorseswerepassingontheirwaytothepost。Carterbroughthisfaceclosetohers。
　　"I’mgoingtobreakmypromise，"hesaid，"andmakeonemorebet，thisonewithyou。IbetyouakissthatI’mright。"
　　Dolly，holdingbackhertears，smiledmournfully。"Makeitahundred，"shesaid。
　　HalfofthefortythousandatthetrackhadbackedDelhi，theotherhalf，followingCarter’sluckandhisconfidenceinproclaiminghisconvictions，hadbackedBeldame。Manyhundredhadgonesofarastobetthatthethreehorseshehadnamedwouldfinishashehadforetold。But，inspiteofCarter’stip，Delhistillwasthefavorite，andwhenthethousandssawtheKeenepolka—dotsleaptothefront，andbytwolengthsstaythere，forthequarter，thehalf，andforthethree—quarters，theairwasshatteredwithjubilant，triumphantyells。Andthensuddenly，withtheswiftnessofamovingpicture，intheverymomentofhisvictory，Beldamecreptuponthefavorite，drewalongside，drewaheadpassedhim，andlefthimbeaten。Itwasatthemile。
　　Thenightbeforeamanhadriseninatheatreandsaidtotwothousandpeople:"Thefavoritewillleadforthemile，andgivewaytoBeldame。"Couldtheyhavebelievedhim，themenwhonowcursedthemselvesmightfortherestoftheirliveshavelivedupontheirwinnings。Thosewhohadfollowedhisprophecyfaithfully，superstitiously，nowshriekedinhappy，riotousself—congratulation。"AttheMILE！"theyyelled。"HeTOLDyou，attheMILE！"TheyturnedtowardCarterandshookPanamahatsathim。
　　"Oh，youCarter！"theyshriekedlovingly。
　　Itwasmorethanaracethecrowdwaswatchingnow，itwastheworkingoutofapromise。AndwhenBeldamestoodoffProper’srush，andProperfelltosecond，andFirstMasonfollowedthreelengthsintherear，andinthatordertheyflashedunderthewire，theyellswerenotthataracehadbeenwon，butthataprophecyhadbeenfulfilled。
　　OfthethousandsthatcheeredCarterandfelluponhimandindeeddidtearhisclothesoffhisback，oneofhisfriendsalonewassufficientlyunselfishtothinkofwhatitmight，meantoCarter。
　　"Champ！"roaredhisfriend，poundinghimonbothshoulders。"Youoldwizard！Iwintenthousand！Howmuchdoyouwin？"
　　CartercastaswiftglanceatDolly。hesaid，"Iwinmuchmorethanthat。"
　　AndDolly，raisinghereyestohis，noddedandsmiledcontentedly。