Bruce Marshall swung round on one foot . His face was crimson and if looks could kill , Tony Mack would have fallen dead in the middle of his sniggers . `` You need n't mind doing up that parcel for me , '' he said to Nora . `` I 'll not wait for it . '' On his way to the door Eben King brushed past him . A shout of laughter from the assembled men followed them . The others streamed out in their wake , realizing that a race was afoot . Tony alone remained inside , helpless with chuckling . Eben King 's horse was tied at the door . He had nothing to do but step in and drive off . Bruce had put his mare in at Billy Bender 's across the bridge , intending to spend the evening there . He knew that this would handicap him seriously , but he strode down the road with a determined expression on his handsome face . Fifteen minutes later he drove past the store , his gray mare going at a sharp gait . The crowd in front of Plowden 's cheered him , their sympathies were with him for King was not popular . Tony had come out and shouted , `` Here 's luck to you , brother , '' after which he doubled up with renewed laughter . Such a lark ! And he , Tony , had set it afoot ! It would be a story to tell for years . Marshall , with his lips set and his dreamy gray eyes for once glittering with a steely light , urged Lady Jane up the Wexbridge hill . From its top it was five miles to Ramble Valley by the main road .
A full mile ahead of him he saw Eben XXXXX , getting along through mud and slush , and occasional big slumpy drifts of old snow , as fast as his clean-limbed trotter could carry him .
Bender Bruce Jane King Mack Marshall Plowden Wexbridge sniggers years