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。