Satan might have lowered the record still more except for that.

“Satan is in excellent condition,” Alec said aloud, “while the Black hasn’t been near a track. He’s not in shape.”

But he knew that he had realized this all along. He had expected the Black to beat Satan’s record in spite of it. Now, he knew he had been wrong. In order to beat Satan, the Black would have to be properly conditioned. And, even then, it would be close … so very close.

But such a race would never take place. Hadn’t he decided not to race the Black again? He was going to take him away to the farm.

But would it be the same now, knowing that perhaps Satan could beat the Black?

The stallion’s shrill whistle aroused Alec from his thoughts. It was getting late, and he should be on his way back to the barn. Turning the Black, he saw the car coming toward them; it could be the same one they had passed a few minutes ago. Alec’s face tightened as he watched it come to a stop and made out the word POLICE lettered on its side.

The door of the car opened and a policeman got out, calling him. Alec slid down from his saddle and stepped in front of the Black. He saw the summons book in the officer’s hand and bit his lower lip. The stallion moved about uneasily and Alec took a few more steps in front of him as he awaited the policeman.

“And what jockey do you think you might be?” the police officer asked sarcastically when he had reached Alec.

The boy was silent.

The policeman turned back the cover of his summons book. “It’s against the law to gallop a horse in a public park,” he said. “You know that?”

“I didn’t know,” Alec said. “Really, officer, I …”

“You know now. Your name?”

Alec hesitated, then said, “Alexander Ramsay.”

“Alexander Ramsay,” the policeman repeated. “Sounds familiar. Did I ever book you before?”

“No … never before.”

The policeman turned back to his summons book. “Address?”

Alec gave it to him, then said, “But it’s so early, officer. No one is around. I couldn’t have hurt anyone.”

“Not the point,” the police officer said curtly. “No exceptions.” Handing Alec the summons, he turned to the Black. “This your horse?”

Alec nodded, moving the stallion away as the policeman stepped closer.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Nothing’s wrong with him,” Alec said. But his grip on the bridle tightened when he saw the brightness of the stallion’s eyes. “If that’s all, I’ll be going now,” he added quickly.

But the policeman had taken another stride closer, and his hand was outstretched toward the horse when the Black struck out savagely with his forefoot. The blow fell far short of its mark, but the policeman jumped back quickly, his face livid with anger.

“He tried to kick me,” he yelled, still retreating. “You get him out of this park, and keep him out. He’s a vicious animal and if I catch him around here again, I’ll do more than give you a summons to appear in court!” Turning, he walked away hurriedly.

After the police car had gone, Alec led the Black along the bridle path until the fire had left the stallion’s eyes. He took another look at the summons before shoving it angrily in his pocket and remounting the Black.