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。