jamesclavell.noblehouse-第204章

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a　neck；　then　the　Lass；　now　Winning　Billy；　now　Pilot　Fish　easing　forward　taking　the　lead；　now　Winning　Billy；　Lochinvar　crowding　him。
　Then　Bluey　White　saw　the　opening　he'd　been　promised　and　he　gave　the　stallion　the　final　whip。　Like　an　arrow　he　darted　for　the　opening　and　swung　up　alongside　Butterscotch　Lass；　then　passed　her。　He　was　ahead　by　a　neck。　He　saw　the　Lass's　jockey；　not　in　the　know；　give　the　mare　the　whip；　shouting　her　onward。　Travkin　screamed　exultantly　and　Noble　Star　put　out　her　final　effort。　The　five　horses　came　down　the　final　yards　neck　and　neck；　now　Pilot　Fish　ahead；　now　Winning　Billy；　Noble　Star　closing；　just　a　neck　behind；　just　a　nose；　just　a　nostril；　the　crowd　a　single；　mindless　raving　lunatic；　all　the　runners　bunched；　Noble　Star　on　the　outside；　Winning　Billy　inching　away；　the　Lass　closing；　Pilot　Fish　closing；　now　ahead　by　a　nose。
　Forty　。。。　thirty　。。。　twenty　。。。　fifteen　。。。
　Noble　Star　was　ahead　by　a　nostril；　then　Pilot　Fish；　then　the　Lass　then　Noble　Star　。。。　Winning　Billy　。。。　and　now　they　were　past　the　winning　post　not　one　of　them　sure　who　had　won　…　only　Travkin　sure　he　had　lost。　Abruptly　he　sawed　the　bit　a　vicious　two　inches　and　held　it　left　in　an　iron　hand；　the　movement　imperceptible　but　enough　to　throw　her　off　her　stride　and　she　shied。　With　a　shriek　she　barreled　down　into　the　mud　and　threw　her　rider　at　the　rails；　the　Lass　almost　falling　but　holding；　the　other　three　safe。　Travkin　felt　himself　sailing；　then　there　was　an　impossible　chest　tearing；　head…splitting　blackness。
　The　crowd　gasped；　the　race　momentarily　forgotten。　Another　blinding　flash　of　lightning；　pandemonium　swooped　over　them；　the　downpour　increased；　mixing　nicely　with　the　thunder　above。
　〃Pilot　Fish　by　a　nose　。。。〃
　〃Balls；　it　was　Noble　Star　by　a　hair　。。。〃
　〃You're　wrong；　old　boy；　it　was　Pilot　Fish　。。。〃
　〃Dew　neh　loh　moh　。。。〃
　〃Christ　what　a　race　。。。〃
　〃Oh　Christ！　Look！　There's　the　stewards'　objection　flag　。。。〃
　〃Where？　Oh　my　God！　Who　fouled　。。。〃
　〃I　didn't　see　anything；　did　you　。。。〃
　〃No。　Difficult　in　this　rain；　even　with　glasses　。。。〃
　〃Christ；　now　what？　Those　bloody　stewards；　if　they　take　victory　from　my　winner　by　Christ　。。。〃
　Dunross　had　rushed　for　the　elevator　the　moment　he　saw　Noble　Star　fall　and　throw　Travkin。　He　had　not　seen　the　cause。　Travkin　was　too　clever。
　Others　were　excitedly　crowding　the　corridors　waiting　for　the　elevator；　everyone　talking；　no　one　listening。　〃We　won　by　a　nostril　。。。〃
　〃What's　the　objection　for　chrissake？　Noble　St…　〃
　〃What's　the　objection；　tai…pan？〃
　〃That's　up　to　the　stewards　to　announce。〃　In　the　uproar　Dunross　stabbed　the　button　again。
　Gornt　hurried　up　as　the　doors　opened；　everyone　packing　in；　Dunross　wanting　to　bellow　with　rage　at　the　slowness。　〃It　was　Pilot　Fish　by　a　nose；　Ian；〃　Gornt　shouted　above　the　uproar；　his　face　flushed。
　〃What　a　race！〃　someone　shouted。　〃Anyone　know　what　the　objection　is？〃
　〃Do　you；　Ian？〃　Gornt　asked。
　〃Yes；〃　he　replied。
　〃It's　against　my　Pilot　Fish？〃
　〃You　know　the　procedure。　First　the　stewards　investigate；　then　they　make　an　announcement。〃　He　saw　Gornt's　flat　brown　eyes　and　he　knew　his　enemy　was　suddenly　blind　with　rage　that　he　wasn't　a　steward。　And　you　won't　bee　one；　you　bastard；　Dunross　thought；　enraged。　I'll　blackball　you　till　I'm　dead。
　〃Is　it　against　Pilot　Fish；　tai…pan？〃　someone　shouted。
　〃Good　God；〃　he　called　back。　〃You　know　the　procedure。〃
　The　elevator　stopped　at　every　level。　More　owners　and　friends　crammed　in。　More　shouts　about　what　a　great　race　but　what　the　hell's　the　objection？　At　last　they　reached　ground　level。　Dunross　rushed　out　onto　the　track　where　a　group　of　ma…foo　and　officials　surrounded　Travkin　who　lay　there　crumpled　and　inert。　Noble　Star　had　fought　to　her　feet；　unhurt；　and　was　now　on　the　far　side　galloping　riderless　around　the　course；　stable　hands　scattered　and　waiting　to　intercept　her。　Up　the　track　on　the　last　bend；　the　vet　was　kneeling　beside　the　agonized　roan　gelding；　Kingplay；　his　back　leg　broken；　the　bone　jutting　through。　The　sound　of　the　shot　did　not　penetrate　the　roars　and　counter　roars　of　the　impatient　onlookers；　their　eyes　fixed　on　the　tote；　waiting　for　the　stewards'　judgment。
　Dunross　knelt　beside　Travkin；　one　of　the　ma…foo　holding　an　umbrella　over　the　unconscious　man。　〃How　is　he；　Doctor？〃
　〃He　didn't　slam　into　the　rails；　missed　them　by　a　miracle。　He's　not　dead；　at　least　not　yet；　tai…pan；〃　Dr。　Meng；　the　police　pathologist；　said　nervously；　used　to　dead　bodies；　not　live　patients。　〃I　can't　tell；　not　until　he　es　around。　There's　no　apparent　hemorrhaging　externally。　His　neck　。。。　and　his　back　seem　all　right　。。。　I　can't　tell　yet　。。。〃
　Two　St。　John's　ambulance　men　hurried　up　with　a　stretcher。　〃Where　should　we　take　him；　sir？〃
　Dunross　looked　around。　〃Sammy；〃　he　said　to　one　of　his　stableboys；　〃go　and　fetch　Doc　Tooley。　He　should　be　in　our　box。〃　To　the　ambulance　men　he　said；　〃Keep　Mr。　Travkin　in　the　ambulance　till　Doc　Tooley　gets　here。　What　about　the　other　three　jockeys？〃
　〃Two　are　just　shook　up；　sir。　One；　Captain　Pettikin；　has　a　broken　leg　but　he's　already　in　a　splint。〃
　Very　carefully　the　men　put　Travkin　on　the　stretcher。　McBride　joined　them；　then　Gornt　and　others。　〃How　is　he；　Ian？〃
　〃We　don't　know。　Yet。　He　seems　all　right。〃　Gently　Dunross　lifted　one　of　Travkin's　hands；　examining　it。　He　had　thought　he　had　seen　a　blow　in　the　far　turn　and　Travkin　falter。　A　heavy　red　weal　disfigured　the　back　of　his　right　hand。　And　the　other　one。　〃What　could　have　caused　this；　Dr。　Meng？〃
　〃Oh！〃　More　confidently　the　little　man　said；　〃The　reins　perhaps。　Perhaps　a　whip；　could　be　a　blow　。。。　perhaps　in　falling。〃
　Gornt　said　nothing；　just　watched；　inwardly　seething　that　Bluey　White　could　have　been　so　inept　when　everything　had　been　so　neatly　set　up　beforehand　with　a　word　here；　a　promise　there。　Half　the　bloody　stadium　must　have　seen　him；　he　thought。
　Dunross　examined　Travkin's　ashen　face。　No　marks　other　than　inevitable　bruising。　A　little　blood　seeped　out　of　the　nose。
　〃It's　already　coagulating。　That's　a　good　sign；〃　Dr。　Meng　volunteered。
　The　governor　hurried　up。　〃How　is　he？〃
　Dunross　repeated　what　the　doctor　had　said。
　〃Damned　bad　luck；　Noble　Star　shying　like　that。〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃What's　the　stewards'　objection；　Ian？〃
　〃We're　just　going　to　discuss　that；　sir。　Would　you　care　to　join　us？〃
　〃Oh；　no；　no　thank　you。　I'll　just　wait　and　be　patient。　I　wanted　to　make　sure　Travkin　was　all　right。〃　The　governor　felt　the　rain　running　down　his　back。　He　looked　up　at　the　sky。　〃Blasted　weather　…　looks　like　it's　here　to　stay。　Are　you　going　to　continue　the　meet？〃
　〃I'm　going　to　remend　we　cancel；　or　postpone。〃
　〃Good　idea。〃
　〃Yes；〃　McBride　said。　〃I　agree。　We　can't　afford　another　accident。〃
　〃When　you　have　a　moment；　Ian；〃　Sir　Geoffrey　said；　〃I'll　be　in　my　box。〃
　Dunross's　attention　focused。　〃Did　you　talk　to　the　minister；　sir？〃　he　asked；　trying　to　sound　matter…of…fact。
　〃Yes。〃　Sir　Geoffrey　was　equally　casual。　〃Yes；　he　called　on　the　private　line。〃
　Abruptly　the　tai…pan　was　conscious　of　Gornt　and　the　others。　〃I'll　walk　you　back；　sir。〃　To　McBride　he　said；　〃I'll　follow　you　at　once；〃　then　turned　away　and　the　two　of　them　walked　for　the　elevator。
　Once　alone　Sir　Geoffrey　muttered；　〃Hardly　the　place　for　a　private　conversation；　what？〃
　〃We　could　examine　the　course；　sir。〃　Dunross　led　the　way　to　the　rail；　praying。　〃The　turfs　terrible；　isn't　it？〃　he　said；　pointing。
　〃Very。〃　Sir　Geoffrey　also　kept　his　back　to　the　eyes。　〃The　minister　was　very　perturbed。　He　left　the　decision　about　Brian　to　me；　providing　Mr。　Sinders　and　Mr。　Crosse　first　agree　to　the　release；　pro…　〃
　〃Surely　they'll　agree　with　you；　sir？〃　Uneasily　Dunross　recalled　his　conversation　with　them　last　night。
　〃I　can　only　advise。　I　will　advise　them　it　is　necessary　providing　you　assure　me　it　is。　You　personally。〃
　〃Of　course；〃　Dunross　said　slowly。　〃But　surely　Havergill；　Southerby　or　the　other　bankers　would　carry　more　weight。〃
　〃In　banking　matters；　Ian；　yes。　But　I　think　I　require　your　personal　assurance　and　cooperation　also。〃
　〃Sir？〃
　〃This　matter　will　have　to　be　handled　very　delicately；　by　you；　not　by　them。　Then　there's　the　problem　of　those　files。　The　AMG　files。〃
　〃What　about　them；　sir？〃
　〃That's　for　you　to　answer。　Mr。　Sinders　told　me　of　his　conversation　with　you　last　night。〃　Sir　Geoffrey　lit　his　pipe；　his　hands　cupping　the　flame；　protecting　it　from　the　rain。　After　the　tai…pan's　call　to　him　this　morning　he　had　at　once　sent　for　Crosse　and　Sinders　to　discuss　the　matter　of　the　exchange　prior　to　asking　the　minister。　Sinders　had　reiterated　his　concern　that　the　files　might　have　been　doctored。　He　said　he　might　agree　to　release　Kwok　if　he　was　sure　of　those　files。　Crosse　had　suggested　trading　Kwok　for　Fong…fong　and　the　others。
　Now　Sir　Geoffrey　looked　at　Dunross　searchingly。　〃Well；　Ian？〃
　〃Tiptop's　due；　or　was　due　this　afternoon。　May　I　assume　that　I　can　say　yes　to　his　proposal？〃
　〃Yes；　providing　you　first　get　Mr。　Sinders's　agreement。　And　Mr。　Crosse's。〃
　〃Can't　you　give　that　to　me；　sir？〃
　〃No。　The　minister　was　quite　clear。　If　you　want　to　ask　them　now；　they　are　in　the　members'　stands。〃
　〃They　know　the　result　of　your　call？〃
　〃Yes。　Sorry　but　the　minister　made　it　very　clear。〃　Sir　Geoffrey　was　gentle。　〃It　seems　the　reputation　for　fairness　and　honesty　of　the　present　tai…pan　of　the　Noble　House　is　known　even　in　those　hallowed　places。　Both　the　minister　and　I　bank　on　it。〃　A　burst　of　cheering　distracted　them。　Noble　Star　had　broken　through　the　cordon　of　ma…foo　trying　to　recapture　her；　and　galloped　past　them；　officials　and　stableboys　scattering。　〃Perhaps　you'd　better　deal　with　the　race　objection　first。　I'll　be　in　my　box。　Join　me　for　tea　or　a　cocktail　if　you　wish。〃
　Dunross　thanked　him　then　hurried　for　the　stewards'　room；　his　mind　in　turmoil。
　〃Ah；　Ian；〃　Shitee　T'Chung；　the　nominal　chairman　called　out　anxiously　as　he　came　in；　all　the　stewards　now　present。　〃We　really　have　to　decide　quickly。〃
　〃That's　hard　without　Travkin's　evidence；〃　Dunross　said。　〃How　many　of　you　saw　Bluey　White　slash　at　him？〃
　Only　McBride　put　up　his　hand。
　〃That's　only　two　of　us　out　of　twelve。〃　Dunross　saw　Crosse　watching　him。　〃I'm　certain。　And　there　was　a　weal　across　both　his　hands。　Dr。　Meng　said　it　could　have　been　made　by　a　whip　or　the　reins　in　falling。　Pug；　what's　your　opinion？〃
　Pugmire　broke　an　unfortable　silence。　〃I　saw　nothing　malicious；　personally。　I　was　watching　like　hell　because　I　was　on　Noble　Star；　1；000　on　the　nose。　Whether　there　was　a　blow　or　not　it　didn't　seem　to　make　much　difference。　I　didn't　see　her　falter；　or　any　of　the　pack；　other　than　Kingplay。　Noble　Star　was　well　in　the　running　till　the　post　and　everyone　had　their　whips　out。〃　He　tossed　over　one　of　the　copies　of　the　photo　finish。
　Dunross　picked　it　up。　The　photo　was　as　he　had　seen　it：　Pilot　Fish　by　a　nose　from　Noble　Star；　by　a　nostril　from　Butterscotch　Lass；　by　a　nose　from　Winning　Billy。
　〃They've　all　got　their　whips　out；〃　Pugmire　continued；　〃and　they　had　in　the　turn；　quite　rightly。　It　could　easily　have　been　accidental　…　if　there　was　a　blow。〃
　〃Shitee？〃
　〃I　must　confess；　old　boy；　I　was　watching　my　Street　Vendor　and　cursing　Kingplay。　I　thought　your　filly'd　pipped　Pilot　Fish。　We；　er；　we've　polled　the　other　trainers　and　there's；　er；　no　formal　plaint。　I　agree　with　Pug。〃
　〃Roger？〃
　〃I　saw　nothing　untoward。〃
　〃Jason？〃
　To　his　surpris