Langdon bought The Dutchman. What methods he employed Crane took no pains to discover; in fact, stopped Langdon abruptly when he sought to enlarge on the difficulties he had overcome in the purchase. The price was the only item that interested Crane--seven thousand dollars; that included everything--even the secret service money.
The horse acquired, Crane had one more move to make; he sent for Jakey Faust, the Bookmaker. Faust and Crane had a reciprocal understanding. When the Bookmaker needed financial assistance he got it from the Banker; when Crane needed a missionary among the other bookmakers, Faust acted for him.
“I want to back Lucretia for the 'Eclipse,”' Crane said to the bookmaker.
“Lucretia,” ejaculated Faust. “She'll have a rosy time beatin' Dutchy on their last race. They'll put a better boy up on the colt next time, an' he ought to come home all by himself” “Yes, a fairish sort of a jock will have the mount I think-Westley's a good enough boy.”
The Cherub pursed his fat round lips in a soft whistle of enlightenment. It had staggered him at first that Crane, for whose acumen he had a profound respect, should have intended such a hazardous gamble; now he saw light.
“Then my book is full on the Porter mare?” he said, inquiringly. Crane nodded his head.
“I'm not a bookmaker,” retorted Crane. “And see here, Faust,” he continued, “when you've got my money on the Porter mare--when and how I leave to you--I want you to cut her price short--do you understand? Make her go to the post two to one on, if you can; don't forget that.”
“If the mare goes wrong?” objected Faust.
“I don't think she will, but you needn't be in a hurry--there's plenty of time.”
“I want her backed down to even money at least,” Crane answered; “probably ten thousand will do it. At any rate you can go that far.”
Then for a few days Langdon prepared his new horse for the Eclipse according to his idea of Crane's idea; and Dixon rounded Lucretia to in a manner that gladdened John Porter's heart. They knew nothing of anything but that Lucretia was very fit, that they had Boston Bill's jockey to ride straight and honest for them, and that with a good price against the mare they would recoup all their losses.